A few words here about the Idaho Statesman‘s new editorial page editor, Robert Ehlert. Some correspondents have had some snark to point his way; they surely aren’t alone, so let’s put it out there. Ehlert has had a few years since working for news media (including several metro-level newspapers), during which time he first worked in the office of a congressional office – a natably partisan, conservative and ambitious Californian named Dan Lundgren – and then as head of Robert Ehlert Associates, the nature of whose consulting work remains a little hazy. The argument goes like this: Ehlert was hired by the Statesman to make nice with the state’s conservative Republican political and business establishment and serve as its apologist. I mention this not to join in that line of argument but, for time being at least, quite the opposite/Randy Stapilus, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: What qualities do you want in an editorial writer for you newspaper?