Big names in US journalism launch Politico web site http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070122/pl_afp/afplifestyleuspolitics_070122174225 WASHINGTON (AFP) - Several big names in US journalism are part of a new Internet-focused news organization being launched that will focus exclusively on politics as the 2008 elections approach. The new venture formed by Allbritton Communications has a newspaper, The Politico, and a website, Politico.com, that have become the hot place to be for political reporters. Well-known journalists from The Washington Post newspaper and Time magazine have joined the multiplatform news organization. John Harris, formerly the Post's political editor, will be the editor in chief at Politico, Jim VandeHei, who covered national politics at the paper, will be the executive editor and Mike Allen, White House correspondent for Time, will be the chief political correspondent. Also on board is Roger Simon, an award-winning political columnist and author. "We want to be a place where a political addict comes for all the latest news and video, but also a place where normal people like our parents and college friends can come for an interesting read about what their government is up to and who's running to replace George W. Bush," Allen told AFP. The new venture is being launched on the same day as the president's State of the Union address, one of the most high-profile political events in Washington. Kim Kingsley, a spokeswoman for Politico, said the staff of 50 will include about 25 reporters who will focus exclusively on the ins and outs of Washington politics. Reporters will also make regular appearances on the capital's all-news radio station as well as on national television news programs. Staffers will shoot video to accompany their stories on the venture's website. "This is one of the first time a newspaper and a website have been designed together, so that each one is used for what that medium does best," Allen said. "The newspaper will come out three times a week when Congress is in session. "The Web site will be updated 24 hours a day."
