New Web Site Offers In-Depth Profiles of Top Washington Officials, Policy Makers Envisions Wiki-Style Source for Policy Views, Political Biographies of Key PlayersWASHINGTON, Jan 22, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO) announced today the beta launch
of WhoRunsGov.com, a Web site offering a unique look at the world of
Washington through its key players and personalities. The site features
concise profiles of influential political officials who shape government
policy, including members of the new presidential administration,
Pentagon officials, lawmakers, senior congressional aides and committee
staff. In later phases, the site will be expanded to include state
officials and experts at think tanks and interest groups.
The first several hundred profiles are being crafted by a newly created
editorial team at the Washington Post Company, as well as a group of
experienced outside contributors. The site will also feature a daily
news blog called The Plum Line focusing on the personal role of
Washington's most powerful players in the policy-making process.
Each profile provides in-depth information on an official's policy
experience, involvement in government decision-making, major policy
positions, key associates, political affiliations, voting records,
campaign and personal finance information, plus relevant news articles
from around the Web. The goal is to provide policy biographies of all
major government decision-makers across the Executive and Legislative
branches and independent agencies. Each profile will highlight an
official's top policy concerns, from health care to financial services
to national security. Representative profiles include Sen.
John McCain (R-Ariz.) by Robert
Draper, First Lady Michelle
Obama by Sarah
Wildman, the Rev.
Rick Warren by David
Brody and Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy
Geithner by Neil
Irwin and Ryan
Derousseau.
"This is the first phase of a new venture to create a uniquely
collaborative and rich information resource that demystifies the
individuals behind Washington's policy-making process," said Rachel Van
Dongen, Editor of WhoRunsGov.com. "The site gives political, business
and opinion leaders, as well as students, educators and engaged
citizens, a destination for crucial, real-time information on
Washington's key players. And it will be a free resource for all."
Greg Sargent is the lead author of The Plum Line, which will provide
breaking news on political appointments and people driving government
decision-making, from members in the new Obama administration to their
counterparts on Capitol Hill and K Street.
WhoRunsGov.com is powered by MindTouch, creators of Deki, an open source
enterprise collaboration and community platform that enables users to
connect and remix enterprise systems, social tools and Web services.
This initial beta version of the site allows users to discuss officials'
policy profiles. A range of additional interactive and collaborative
capabilities will be added when the site expands to become a moderated
wiki later this year.
At this later date, users will be invited to submit suggested additions
and revisions to the text of specific profiles based on reputable
published sources or authoritative information.
To ensure accuracy and reliability of the site's information, the
editorial team will review each submission before it is published.
Politicians profiled on the site will have the opportunity to provide
biographical details and tell their stories in their own words. Users
will also be able to expand the site's universe of profiles by
submitting new biographical entries.
This moderated collaboration involving policy professionals, a dedicated
editorial staff, and public contributors will create an unprecedented
and dynamic Internet resource for anyone wanting to get to know the
people who drive policy outcomes in the nation's capital.
To visit and register on WhoRunsGov.com see the following link:
http://www.whorunsgov.com
The blog can be viewed at:
http://whorunsgov.com/theplumline
SOURCE: The Washington Post Company
The Washington Post Company
Press Contact:
Rima Calderon, 202-334-6617
calderonr@washpost.com