Burnt Orange Report

Byron,

Why does the link to information about Chris Bell show a link URL generated by blogads? Is the Bell campaign paying for editorial advertising? If so, shouldn't this be disclosed? Or disallowed?

I have not received any money from the Bell campaign other than what is being paid by the blogads, which were purchased at the list price. I have not ever, and would not ever charge for "editorial advertising". I think that our readers should learn more about Chris Bell since he is the only Democrat that has announced an exploratory committee to run for governor. I have not endorsed Chris Bell or any other candidate for Texas governor, although I will support the Democratic nominee. Does that satisfy any disclaimer request?

I don't put up a disclaimer for blogads, because well - no blogger does. Any reader can see can see what ads are being run at a given time, and any reader can check the blogads site to see how much we charge for ads.

As a follow-up more related to the question - as to why I put the link to the blogad in the post - it is not an uncommon blog practice. For example, one of the top political blogs - Political Wire, frequently employs this practice. When a BOR advertiser comes up in a post, I will sometimes link using their blogad link as a courtesy to the advertiser. However, I have received no monetary compensation from the Chris Bell campaign regarding any post. I stand by my advertising policies which are quite clear.

Chris Bell will speak at the next Keep Austin Blue meeting 6:30 Wednesday night, May 25 at Mother Egan's. For more info http://www.keepaustinblue.org/Events.htm

Byron,

Thanks for clarifying that.