Campaign topics belong in the GD: Campaign 2004 forum instead of GD.

[Skinner]

In an effort to better organize topics in the two General Discussion forums, to cut down on duplicate postings, and to spread traffic more evenly, we are instituting the following rule:

Discussion topics about the 2004 elections (including presidential and all other campaigns) may not be posted in the General Discussion forum, and should instead be posted in the General Discussion: Campaign 2004 forum.

When starting discussion threads in the General Discussion forums, we expect all members to voluntarily comply with this rule by selecting the forum which is most appropriate. Do not deliberately post in the incorrect forum.

If everyone voluntarily complies with this rule, then a large amount of traffic will naturally flow to the GD: 2004 forum, and there will not be any incentive to post in the incorrect forum.

Unfortunately, there is no clear line about what constitutes a campaign topic and what does not. Before you post, please take a moment to consider whether a reasonable person would consider a topic to be about the campaign or not. Because there is no clear line, the moderators will often have to make difficult judgment calls, which sometimes may appear contradictory or inconsistent. They are doing the best they can to enforce a very fuzzy rule, so please do not waste their time with endless "why-was-this-moved-but-not-this" appeals. It is not the end of the world if your topic gets moved, and the moderators have the final say on where a particular topic belongs.

Here are some general guidelines to give you an idea of where the line will be drawn:

Any and all discussion topics about John Kerry, John Edwards, or their campaign would likely be considered campaign topics.

Discussion topics relating to the campaign activities of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, their supporters, or their campaign would likely be considered campaign topics. But topics relating to the official duties of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, or members of their administration would not be considered campaign topics.

Similarly, discussion topics about campaign activities of candidates for federal, state, or local offices would be considered campaign topics. But topics about the official duties of various political officeholders would not be considered campaign topics.

Discussion topics relating to political parties or other organizations involved in the campaign, campaign polling, election laws and regulations, media coverage of the campaign, etc., would likely be considered campaign topics.

The determination of whether a discussion topic is a campaign topic will be based solely on the content of the original message which starts the thread. A topic will not be moved because it has replies that are related to the campaign.

Please be aware that these guidelines are only relevant to topics posted in the two General Discussion forums. Campaign topics are still permitted in other relevant forums, such as the Latest Breaking News forum or the various state forums.

If the moderators become aware of a topic posted in the incorrect forum, they will move the topic to the appropriate forum. Members will not be harassed by the moderators simply because they made an honest mistake and posted in the incorrect forum. However, members who repeatedly and deliberately post topics in the incorrect forum will likely be asked to modify their posting habits.

Thank you for your understanding.

Skinner
DU Administrator