Hi, Joshua. Thanks for this. I hear you.

I’ve never bought into the idea that we shouldn’t write about candidates simply because “they will never get elected.” A major factor for us — and this isn’t some excuse — is resources: We have so many political stories and races and candidates to cover, and a limited number of reporters and editors, so we have to make tough choices. We are often drawn to the campaigns that are the most competitive, that would resonate with a wide spectrum of readers, or where the outcomes could have major ramifications on people’s lives, on issues, on the balance of power, etc.

But we are always looking for compelling candidates who tell us something important about the nature of their part of the nation or about a policy, idea or ideology and would make for a great read or visual story. If you want to share more thoughts on this, or flag specific compelling candidates that we may be missing, please email me: pdh@nytimes.com.

Thanks, Patrick

Lessons from 2016

How will you cover 2018 without the repeat of the 2016 errors and continue on with what I have read as really strong journalism since 2017?

— Patty McLoone

Hi, Patty. Thanks for this. Our colleagues in Washington have done a terrific job covering the Trump presidency, the Mueller investigation and the extraordinary developments at the White House and in Congress. Reporters on our National and Business staffs have captured so many of the changes, challenges and struggles across America, from daily life, education, immigration and health care to the changing economic fortunes for families and voters.

One of our 2018 goals is to collaborate extensively with these colleagues to tell a really complete story about all facets of life in America and how politics expresses itself in this country.

I was a senior reporter on the 2016 campaign coverage, and I am proud of the work that our team did. By the end of that campaign, I think voters who read our coverage of Trump and Clinton were extremely well-informed about whom these candidates were, what they stood for and what kind of president each would be.

I hope to deliver that kind of insightful coverage again, and to build on it by providing the smartest, most nuanced and accurate picture of the country and its voters.