The Twin Falls County Republican Central Committee has attracted undesired attention on different fronts: an anonymous blog and complaints about the organization’s financial information are all in the mix. If anything, the attention means area Republicans have to fend off allegations of improper handling of financial records. Sometimes officials cannot even respond publicly because they don’t know who their accuser is. Ken Edmunds, former treasurer of the central committee, found that out the hard way. When he resigned last week, an anonymous blog called “Twin Falls Republican Party Restoration” suggested a possible reason was because the blog put heat on Edmunds for his work as treasurer. “They misrepresent things so badly, it’s very irritating,” Edmunds said/Ben Botkin, Twin Falls Times-News. More here. (Illustration: Newscom)

Question: I've often wondered why anonymous bloggers and posters in this community rattle elected officials so much. How much influence do you think they have anyway?