After I gave up trying to convince Rick Nelson not to retire as The Post and Courier’s editorial page editor, I spent a while thinking about what a responsible opinion staff does and looks like.
Actually I spent a while organizing my thoughts, because after nearly three decades of writing editorials and opinion columns, I already had some pretty clear ideas. As I start my new job in Rick’s old job, I’d like to share those thoughts with you — not because they’re much of a change but because I’m not sure we’ve ever explained where we’re coming from and what we’re trying to accomplish.
But first, a few process items: I hope to keep writing this column weekly, along with some editorials. We're looking to hire an editorial writer, based in Charleston. And I’ll keep living in Columbia and visiting the Statehouse regularly — which I believe speaks volumes to our commitment to being South Carolina’s statewide newspaper.
Our priority issues will continue to range from public education, open government and using our tax dollars wisely to conserving our natural resources, managing growth and preserving what makes Charleston so special. Nor do I expect changes in our political philosophy: Although our positions on average tend to land slightly right of center, individually they range across about the middle 70 percent of the political spectrum.
