Politicians' columns are often self-serving; one weekly editor says he's tired of it, and writes a counterpoint column

The Enterprise's Sept. 22 opinion page; right-click to download

By Al Cross, Director and Professor, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, University of Kentucky

Columns from state and national legislators are standard fare for many community newspapers' opinion pages. They bring a wider perspective to publications that have been called "relentlessly local," but often the editor's main purpose is to fill the page.

And what is the politician's purpose? In many cases, such columns are primarily informational, giving readers updates on legislation. But in many other cases, they are primarily political, selling the politician's point of view and often attacking his or her adversaries.

That's what Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell did in his latest column for Kentucky newspapers, according to Denis House, editor of The Lebanon Enterprise, in a column that House put on his opinion page above McConnell's. "The bulk of his column is laying the blame on the opposite party," House writes. "That’s how it is with almost every political column I receive or read in other publications. One party blames the other. And I’m tired of it."

I've long thought that editors ought to exercise more discretion about such columns. If they're attack pieces, look for a piece from the other side, or don't run them at all. Also, use news judgment; if the politician is writing about topics of interest to your community, that's a plus. And remember that these columns can be edited for space and relevance.

Timing is also important. Is the politician running for re-election? The Enterprise's page also has a column from a state representative, who is new to the county because of redistricting. He is opposed in the Nov. 8 election, but his column appears to be the first for the Enterprise, introducing himself to the county, and he doesn't discuss any issues. It's self-promotional, but the readers deserve to know about who's representing them. Any further columns before the election deserve strictest scrutiny.