Editorial writers attending a chat session expressed a number of concerns about the conflict between their jobs and their personal lives. It's important to go off the record sometimes to provide context for events. You develop an idea of who is reliable over time. The consensus was yes, assuming they keep it off the record too.
Context is important.
When a compelling issue comes up that only you will get, I have no problem putting it into the newspaper. Call the source up and tell him that the paper has to print it. We have a two day rule. We don't scoop the news room, but if they don't do the story in two days, then you do. It's a matter of discretion.