The way it works is I have two AMEs who are valuable in helping me manage the news side and to set goals and priorities. My experience as editorial page editor has helped me understand the importance of having an editorial page editor who can set agenda. Though I do help determine editorial policy, as the person who presides at our editorial board meetings, I more often perform as a sounding board on key issues, like endorsements, I collaborate with the editorial staff on what position to take. In terms of reader perceptions, I think we are perceived as a liberal editorial page. We like to think of ourselves as independent thinkers.
Most people remember political endorsements when they try to characterize an editorial page.
By that criterion, we tend to endorse more liberals than conservatives. I served as president of the National Conference of Editorial Writers and now am taking a leadership role on the ASNE convention for 1998. I m also president-elect of the Virginia Press Association. So the plate is full, but they have all been valuable experiences.