POLITICO Community FAQ

Welcome to POLITICO.com. Our pages are best viewed using either Internet Explorer or Firefox. Becoming a member of the POLITICO.com community provides insider-like access to Washington and the latest from the world of politics.

Why should I become a registered member of POLITICO.com?

Registered members become a part of the POLITICO.com community. Once in, you can exchange ideas in the forums, receive breaking news alerts and have special features delivered directly to your inbox.

How do I register?

Go to the member registration page and follow the easy directions. Be sure to confirm your registration (within seven days) by clicking on the message you'll receive at the e-mail address you provide. At the time you register, you can also sign up for subscription features.

I'm trying to register, but it isn't working.

It could be one of several things. Try this checklist:

  • Be sure you confirm your registration within the seven days of receiving an e-mail from POLITICO.com.
  • Don't try to reuse a handle you've used before
  • If you are an AOL or Earthlink users, (or if you are using a computer on a corporate network) please make sure your browser allows "cookies" in order for your personalized information to be seen by our system.
  • Keep in mind that POLITICO accounts sometimes have trouble in AOL. Try checking your mail via Internet Explorer's Outlook or Firefox's Thunderbird. If your problem is with the registration form, remember that the site is optimized for viewing in IE or Firefox. Switch to one of those browsers and try again.
  • If you have had an account before and have received numerous messages that your posts have been deleted for violation of the Terms of Service, there's a chance that you have been banned. This is a rare occurrence and only happens to users who repeatedly disregard the rules of the community.
  • If you still come up empty, send a message to webin@politico.com. Tell us the things you've done, the results you've gotten, the browser you're using and your operating system.

What are the different subscription features?

These following items can all be selected from the registration menu:

  • Breaking news alerts - Be in the know the minute a big story breaks.
  • Playbook - Mike Allen's first-out-of-the-gate guide to the day's political landscape, plus dessert.
  • POLITICO Huddle - is a play-by-play preview of the day's congressional news.
  • Morning Money - Ben White and company keep you up-to-date on the intersection of Washington and Wall Street.
  • POLITICO Pulse - The Pulse team shares the latest insider intelligence on health-care reform with readers every morning.
  • Morning Score - Alexander Burns takes a daily survey of the 2010 midterm election scene.
  • Morning Tech - Get your daily download of technology news from Washington and the Silicon Valley with this must read tip sheet.
  • Morning Defense - is a daily briefing from inside Washington's national security apparatus.
  • Morning Energy - Don't miss this one-stop source for energy and environment news.
  • Daily Digest - Enjoy the stories that will drive the political conversation with your morning coffee.
  • Congress Daily Digest – Start your day with the top stories from the Congress page of POLITICO.com.

To have the e-edition of the print newspaper delivered to your inbox, go to here and fill out the subscription form.

POLITICO Pro

POLITICO Pro subscribers will get access to subscriber-only websites packed with ahead-of-the-curve reporting from POLITICO Pro's team of dedicated journalists; highly customizable instant alerts on the news that matters to them most; early-bird editions of Morning Energy, Morning Tech and Pulse; subscriber-only afternoon briefings from POLITICO Pro editors; and access to exclusive events with newsmakers and POLITICO Pro journalists. For more information about POLITICO Pro, please visit POLITICO Pro

I didn't subscribe to the features when I registered, how can I sign-up?

Log in. In the right-hand column, click on "edit my account". Check the boxes that apply.

How do I edit my account information?

Log in. In the right-hand column, click on "edit my account." Simply change the info. If you need to change info for something not listed here (like update your e-mail address), then send an e-mail message to webin@politico.com. Tell us your current info (the info you want changed) and your new info. Our staff will take care of it for you.

Help! I can't view a story (or video).

Our pages are optimized to be used with Firefox or Internet Explorer. If you are still having trouble AND you are using one of those browsers, please clear your cache and restart your computer. If you are still plagued, send a message to webin@politico.com. Tell us the things you've done, the results you've gotten, the browser you're using and your operating system.

How do I create an avatar?

After you log in, go to "my profile", then "manage photos". Upload an image you want to use. Under "my profile" click on "choose my icon". The image will display next to your profile. Note: Inappropriate images will be removed and could result in de-activation of your account.

How do I post a comment in the forum?

Log in. On the right rail of your profile page, click on "forums" under "share ideas" or navigate directly to the forums.

Find the story you want to comment on or start your own thread (see direction below). Click on the "reply" button to comment on either the story or an existing comment. The "quote" button lets you snip other comments into your post. After you type your post, hit "preview" to see what your post will look like on the live page. If you like what you see, hit "commit", if you want to try again, select "cancel". Note: If you include a photo in your post, please make sure it doesn't "bust the page." Crop it so that no side is larger than 500 pixels. If you run into trouble, make sure the pop-up block has been disabled.

Can I start my own thread?

Of course, it's easy. Log in to your account. Click on the "community" tab at the top of the page. Look for the "user submitted topics" banner in red. Select the category your comment will fit in from the selections UNDER that red banner. Click on the blue subject heading ("education," for instance). On the right, click on "new thread." Fill out the form. After you type your post, hit "preview" to see what your post will look like on the live page. If you like what you see, hit "commit", if you want to try again, select "cancel".

How do I comment on a blog?

Select the blog item to which you wish to respond. Near the bottom of the item, click on "post a comment." Fill in the form and you become part of the conversation!

Are there ground rules for posting in the community forums and blogs?

We welcome the free exchange of ideas among POLITICO.com readers and never censor based on political party or ideology. The quick answer is play by the rules outlined in the Terms of Service. Here's a more detailed explanation:

  • Don't do, say or encourage anything illegal.
  • No profanity, no obscenity (even with some letters replaced with aster*sks or abbreviated) either in your posts, handle or signature. If the moderators can tell what you mean, so can other readers.
  • No name-calling, no abusing your fellow readers. You are welcome to attack each other's ideas, but we won't tolerate insults or threats to our readers. If you feel like a comment is out of line, click "report abuse" and we'll review it.
  • When a public official dies or is diagnosed with a grave illness, exercise some decorum. Never express glee at serious news.
  • All inappropriate comments that could constitute a threat to a public official will be reported to law enforcement for appropriate action.
  • Stay on topic. We don't mind slight conversational drift, but don't hijack a thread altogether. For example, a post about Obama's recent foreign policy proposals doesn't belong in a story about Joe Biden's latest gaffe. If you want to talk about the upcoming football game or your favorite recipe, please start a new thread.
  • Spamming (including repeating the same post over and over) is always a no-no. So are commercial solicitations and requests for donations.
  • If you copy a portion of another post that contains inappropriate content and use it in your post, both posts are subject to deletion.
  • Duplicate posts are subject to deletion.
  • Don't abuse the picture-posting function. Messages featuring long strings of images that distort the page, contain offensive or inappropriate content or interfere with the flow of conversation will be deleted. Comments with broken links are also subject to deletion.
  • Don't use large fonts, a variety of colors or other distracting formatting techniques.
  • Don't use foreign words or phrases that are outside common knowledge.
  • Don't post audio or video content that automatically plays.
  • Don't violate the rights of others (e.g., copyright, trademark or someone else's privacy).
  • Don't pretend to be someone else, pretend to be affiliated with someone you aren't, or pretend you're not affiliated with someone you are. This includes, but is not limited to, using a handle that closely mirrors that of another forum member.
  • Don't post anything that contains a virus.
  • There is no statute of limitations on abuse reports.
  • Breaking these rules may result in the deletion of offending comments or the de-activation of your account, with or without warning.

Why do my posts keep on posting twice in the forums?

When you post, it goes to the bottom of the posting list, which, if you are viewing in ascending order, will appear on the last page of the thread. The forum pages are cached, which may cause the thread to appear unchanged for a few seconds (and until the next request for the page). Have faith! Your post is there. There's no need to try again.

Other users have been harassing me/posting offending content, what can I do?

If they are posting messages on the forum you believe are inappropriate, hit the "report abuse" button. An actual human will review the post and make a ruling.

If someone is sending you inappropriate private messages, the easiest thing to do is to set your profile to private (click on "edit my profile" from the right-hand menu; then the drop-down menu).

What is webin?

You probably noticed the recommendation to send a message to webin@politico.com in several instances above. But you'll get better results if you understand what it's for. Here's our best tip: Use webin if you have a specific question or recommendation that you can't address to a particular staff person.

If you want to vent about a story, post to the form. If you want to send a comment to a reporter or editor, contact her/him directly.

Do contact webin if you notice a technical glitch on the site or if you have a recommendation. Spot a typo in a story? Please tell us. Think we've missed a story? Let us know. (But please don't forward us content from another media outlet).

I want to submit an op-ed to Opinions or contribute to The Arena. To whom should I speak?

For Opinions pieces, send completed items to Allison Silver at asilver@politico.com. Senior editor David Mark at dmark@politico.com is your guide in The Arena.

How do I contact a reporter or editor?

Please click on the "More Info" tab at the far right-hand side of the home page screen. Under that select About Us from the drop-down menu. Select the person to whom you'd like to write and click on her/his name. Use the form at the bottom of the bio box to send your message.

POLITICO.com is great, but I love the print edition too. How can I get it?

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How can I get advertising information?

Go to our advertising page for all the details for advertising in POLITICO and on POLITICO.com.

I'd like to post a job listing in the employment section.

POLITICO Jobs has all the details you need.

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