Note: We do not endorse alternative voter guides. In fact, in some cases we link to voter guides produced organizations with goals contrary to our own.  Nonetheless, we believe you may find considering an alternative voter guide (like the one that follows) helpful in validating our work.

Decision 2013: Virginia general election is The Washington Post‘s voter guide. This web page begins by describing the election.

Three statewide offices and 100 seats in the House of Delegates are up for grabs in Virginia this year. Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe, the two major-party candidates for governor, will lead the ballots on November 5, followed by candidates for lieutenant governor, attorney general and the legislature. The commonwealth’s 40 state Senate seats are not on the ballot this year.

Because The Washington Post is still a major publication, most of the candidates in northern Virginia responded to its questions. Moreover, the The Washington Post asked the candidates just a couple of relatively innocuous questions.  Apparently, the candidates saw replying as an easy opportunity to reach a relatively large audience.  So what’s the downside? The Washington Post has an reputation for supporting Liberal agenda. Here are some examples of criticism and a just plain silly report.

• Purple State, Deep Blue Media by L. Brent Bozell III documents bias in Virginia’s current gubernatorial race.
• Plenty of local bias in VA governor’s race coverage by Kathryn Watson reviews and MRC analysis of news media bias.
• Pro-Life Leader: Pro-Abortion Media Pitching for Terry McAuliffe in Virginia Governor’s Race by Tim Graham reflects upon the news media’s inability to ask appropriate questions.
• Need Evidence of Media Bias?  Check Out the Washington Post’s Comments Section… by Shaun Kenney considers how subtle that bias may sometimes be.
• One study explains why it’s tough to pass liberal laws by Dylan Matthews seems absurdly ridiculous. Tough to pass liberal laws? Here of late hasn’t been impossible to stop them?

Is The Washington Post biased?  We all have our biases but no one knows how to accurately measure a bias. So ultimately the question of bias is a judgment call.

How is bias relevant to Decision 2013: Virginia general election? That webpage contains links to articles where The Washington Post profiles each race and each candidate. Since each of these profiles is news article written by a journalist who work for The Washington Post, each provides ample opportunity for journalistic bias.