Obama, Clinton Discuss Oregon Issues Online

This is not a "story".

What we look for in journalism is analysis.

Journalists add value to the tidal wave of data we all experience by filtering, analyzing, comparing it. They add something we don't know. They interpret the world. They set aside the stuff that is not important, and they pull out what is important for us.

Any reader can find the original story sources themselves. Assume your readers read the daily papers in your area. Posting links to existing media begs the question of what value YOU have to add. Assume we are all reading the Bulletin, Oregonian already. We don't need links to those stories. We know them.

Simply providing a link to what the politicians said is meaningless.

What we look for is your analysis of what they said. Imagine a book review that said: "The book can be found here." Or a movie review that said: "The movie can be seen here." Not worth reading, right? We want to hear about the book or movie.

What we want is the critic's analysis and thoughts on the subject at hand. We're looking for extra value from someone who knows more than we do. Otherwise why read it?

For an example of value-added analysis, read Bill Schneider's writing. That's what you should shoot for. Become deeply, intimately familiar with the issues you choose to cover. Dig deep.

Based on your knowledge of Oregon, what's important about what Clinton and Obama said? What's new or old, or true or false? Why should Oregonians care? What may change with timber payments, and what could the impact be? Don't be shy - tell us! Do you have an opinion? Cut to the chase. Otherwise why should we care?

If all you can say is "So and so talked about Oregon today" with no follow on analysis of WHAT they said, there's no story at all here. None.

One gets the feeling reading your "see this link" or "it snowed today" pieces that you are not very familiar with Oregon issues. Avoid stories that add nothing, or relaying elemental facts that anyone can glean by looking out the window.

There is so much out there that needs serious coverage. Go for that stuff.

Tell us something we don't know. Something new.

That's what New West is supposed to be about, right?

The link to the Obama site was not working when I tried it. Thank you for the opportunity to look at what was presented in an unedited format. There is a place for journalistic comment and a place to let the information speak for itself. I can form my own opinion. I'm sorry not eveyone feels that way.