A New Day in Blogging

I am fired up now to do more blogging after watching NBC 17's Sunday news program "At Issue" with Kim Genardo. Today's program featured a segment on the use of the internet in political campaigns and in particular the use of blogs. Before I go any further let me just say that this program and NBC 17's focus on politics is outstanding. I know that in this market NBC 17 is up against stiff competition from the "traditional" TV powerhouses (I feel their pain). But for anyone actually interested in politics, particularly state politics this is where you need to be.

Now, on today's show Kim had a lively discussion with Mark "Tour de France" Johnson of the Charlotte Observer and Ryan Teague Beckwith, the "Dome Gnome" of the N&O reviewing the political websites and various candidate blogs. It was both interesting and entertaining and I'm pleased to say that "More from Orr" got good reviews from the panel. So having been encouraged by the commentary I am all the more committed to keeping up this inside look at the governor's race, my campaign, and whatever other topics happen to inspire me.

I can't let pass, however, Kim's observation that on this blog I occasionally criticize the press, and as noted by RTB, opponents and polling firms. And as Ryan so poignantly stated there is a certain danger with a candidate loose at the laptop writing unedited blogs that aren't pre-screened by a hoard of campaign operatives before being posted. He's right and I confess to being aware of the dangers of freelance writing on the internet. That's why I have imposed the "2 glasses of wine" rule and a ban on late night blogging.

I confess, however, to have violated that rule once but fortunately woke up at 5:30 a.m. and edited the entry before anyone actually read it. Anyway, when you're the unconventional candidate trying to actually talk about real issues and the realities of big bucks campaigns, you have to be willing to take a few risks. And we're still working on all those other aspects of internet politics ranging from YouTube viral videos to Facebook fanatics (although this 61 year old face doesn't offer much promise in that venue in my opinion).

As to actually criticizing the press, opponents, and certain polling firms, I see this candidacy as a two way street. I'm obviously open to being "criticized", "analyzed", "sanitized", and "homogenized" by all of the above so it's only fair that I at least be able to air my concerns about what everybody else is doing and saying - or not saying. I'll try to keep it within bounds and hopefully those commenting on me or my campaign will do the same.