Endorsements and Weekend Events

It's been a long few days and I've been out of the state (and out of the loop). So, if there's anything big I've missed, please let me know. A few things you should know:

• Walrath-Goldsmith is hosting a ...rave? I'll be there.
• The debate and radio show with the candidates are both now available online. As soon as this post goes up, I'll be (finally) writing my debate wrap-up. Expect that by early morning.
• See that "Senate Elections" tab in the upper right of your screen? You should click it. A huge number of UNI students are now running write-in bids for Senate spots and NISGElections.com is the only source for a comprehensive list.

In the past few days, I've received a lot of feedback about my post on the constitutional amendment you'll be voting on later this week. A couple questioned my choice to advocate for a specific vote. I want to take a minute to discuss NISGElections.com's stance on endorsements and issue advocacy. When Adam and I approached the Northern Iowan with our plan to start a blog, one of our first stipulations was complete editorial control. We wanted to choose what we covered, what we said, and how we said it. The NI complied and I can't thank them enough for that. Any choice of endorsement or issue advocacy is entirely the choice of the author and does not represent the views of the Northern Iowan.

Here is my stance. I value the unbiased nature of this blog, but I value the future of NISG even more. I have, and will continue, to make endorsements and take stances on contested races and controversial issues when I believe one side or person is unquestionably the right choice -- particularly when the future of NISG hangs in the balance. Stopping a frivolous early campaigning charge is unquestionably the right decision. Turning Senate into a smaller, more efficient body is unquestionably the right decision. I will not hesitate to advocate for these issues.

Now -- spoiler alert -- I will not be making an endorsement in the Presidential and Vice Presidential race. Doing so would certainly not be without precedent (I'm not quite sure why I keep deciding to bring up painful memories), but I'm not convinced any ticket stands out from the others. All six candidates would be great for the future of NISG.

I hope that clears things up. Feel free to sound off in the comments if you have any thoughts.