While DailyKos is a key stronghold in the netroots movement, it must be admitted that using the internet has certain, tangible limits in terms of voter outreach. Many demographics, primarily the higher age groups that vote strongly for McCain, still largely get their news from newspapers.
Given the amount of writing talent available in the blogging community, it seems logical that this would be a good place to find quality letter-writers. Many newspapers in key swing states have circulations in the hundreds of thousands.
Interested in helping the cause? Oodles of info below the fold.
Here is a list of the eleven highest-circulation newspapers in 'swing states', and how to write letters to editor to them. I would point out that USA Today is published in Virginia, and may be another possibility. I left it out because I'm skeptical that many of its readers actually live in Virginia.
Colorado
Denver Post
www.denverpost.com
Submit to: http://neighbors.denverpost.com/viewforum.php?f=18
There is a message board where Letters can be submitted. From what I can ascertain, this is how they choose online Letters to the Editor to publish in the Opinion section.
Florida
Miami Herald
www.miamiherald.com
The Herald values its readers' letters. We receive far more than we can print, so we try to publish the most representative, interesting, and provocative. To give more readers a say, we condense letters. And we do not publish letter writers more often than once per 60 days. Letters must bear the writer's name, full address, and daytime phone number.
Submit to: HeraldEd@MiamiHerald.com
Note: The Herald does NOT set any limits on number of words. However, very few newspapers will print letters longer than 250 words.
Orlando Sentinel
www.orlandosentinel.com
To be considered for publication, your letter should be brief and to the point and must include your name, address and daytime and evening telephone numbers.
Letters of all lengths will be considered, but letters in the 200-250-word range or shorter are preferred. Letters also will be edited for facts, grammar and length.
We do not publish poetry, unsigned letters or letters under pseudonyms.
Submit to: insight@orlandosentinel.com
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
www.sun-sentinel.com
Submit to: letters@sun-sentinel.com.
# Keep your letter brief, the shorter the better (200 words should be your maximum; 100 words or fewer stands the best chance of being published).
# Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (If you don't include this information, we won't consider your letter for publication.)
Tampa Tribune (& Tampa Times)
www.tampatrib.com
Use this form to submit Letters to the Editor to be considered for publication in the printed version of The Tampa Tribune. The Tribune welcomes readers' letters on matters of public interest. They should be original and not exceed 150 words. We may occassionally print a longer letter, but all letters are subject to editing for length and clarity. Letters should include the writer's name, street address and daytime phone number. Due to space limitations, not all letters can be printed or acknowledged. You must fill in all blanks.
Submit to: http://www.tbo.com/news/opinion/submissionform.htm
There is a form to fill out there.
Indiana
Indianapolis Star
www.indystar.com
Please include your name, address and phone number.
Submit to: http://www2.indystar.com/help/letters.html
There is a form to fill out, you can paste your letter into the fields.
You may also submit a letter to any of the smaller Star publications in the state.
Iowa
Des Moines Register
www.desmoinesregister.com
Write a brief letter on any subject. The shorter the better.
Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (If you don't include your name and address, we can't consider your letter for publication.)
Remember — ALL letters are subject to editing.
Submit to: letters@dmreg.com
Missouri
Kansas City Star
www.kansascity.com
The newspaper welcomes readers’ opinions in letters to the editor, Voices, As I See It columns and op-ed submissions.
Send letters of up to 150 words to The Kansas City Star, Letters, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108.
You can also send letters by email to letters@kcstar.com. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Letters will be edited for length and clarity and may be published by The Star electronically.
North Carolina
Charlotte Observer
www.charlotteobserver.com
We welcome letters. Please sign (unless you are using e-mail or computer fax) and include your address and daytime telephone number. We edit for brevity, grammar, clarity and accuracy, and we reject letters published elsewhere. Letters typically address a single idea and do not exceed 150 words. We cannot return or acknowledge letters not used. Published letters will appear in paper and electronic format.
Submit to: opinion@charlotteobserver.com
Ohio
Cincinnati Enquirer
www.enquirer.com
Limit letters to 100 words. All letters may be edited for space and clarity. Longer letters may be considered for other features on the Editorial Page, Opinions Page, or in Sunday Forum. Letters, opinion and editorial columns, and articles submitted to The Enquirer may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
Submit to: letters@enquirer.com
Columbus Dispatch
www.dispatch.com
Dispatch.com regularly will post letters to the editor that don't make it to print in The Dispatch. Unlike letters to the editor that appear the newspaper, Web-only letters have not been edited.
LETTERS POLICY:The Dispatch welcomes letters to the editor from readers. Typed letters of 200 words or less are preferred; all must be edited. Each letter must include name, home address and daytime phone number.
Submit to: letters@dispatch.com
This is where all letters are submitted. However, there are two different chances for it to be published.