Wayne Hoffman of Idaho Freedom Foundation dropped by unexpectedly for a visit:

DFO: How is the experiment with IFF's online news outlet Idaho Reporter going?

Wayne Hoffman: Idaho Reporter is now 7 months old. We get people from all over the country, from traditional news media to the new media telling us that our reporters are doing an extraordinary job. We're breaking stories. We're being quoted by other journalists. Policy makers are paying attention to what we're writing about.

• DFO: Why are you so controversial with mainstream media and Democratic bloggers?
• Wayne Hoffman: I don't know the answer. If you look at what we do, we're a government watchdog public policy research organization. You would think that people on both sides of the aisle would be delighted to see a new voice on the field. Our goal is to speak truth to power whether those people be Republicans, Democrats, Independents, doesn't matter. There's a lot of work that we do that shouldn't be the province of any particular party, like open government, having a since of fair play within the halls of the Legislature, county and city government. There's nothing partisan about that at all. Our basic goal is limited government, low taxes, free market solutions. There's nothing in that that should frighten or upset anybody. Rest of interview below.
  

• DFO: What do you make of the snub by the Capitol Correspondents Association, which seem to indicate they didn't think you were a legitimate news organization?
• Wayne Hoffman: It's tragic for an organization that professes support for open government. We have two people who cover state government full time. And the traditional media are using our material. Yet, they refuse to give those reporters those credentials.
• DFO: One of the top criticisms of your critics is that you don't keep the lobbying side and reporting side separate. Is that legit?
• Wayne Hoffman: No, we actually have an editor who supervises and manages daily news content at Idaho Reporter.com. Most days, I don't even know what stories reporters are working on. Or what angle they're going to take. Or when the stories are going to be posted. That allows them to maintain their independence.
• DFO: What do you make of the Tea Party movement?
• Wayne Hoffman: I love it. I love engaged citizens. I love people showing up at City Council meetings, county commissioner hearings, and legislative meetings, and demanding actions that reflect their values. I love it when those values are -- "Government, leave us the hell alone."