I've talked about the pastor at my Roman Catholic parish here before. He's interesting in that he seems to be an out an out lefty on most issues, poverty and peace especially, and he often prays for "people discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation" during the public part of the prayer of the faithful, and once he faced down a jerk yelling about gay marriage. But he seems to be a one issue Republican voter, that issue being abortion. About a month ago he had this long sermon about how important the war is as an issue, and poverty, but how we needed first to have a "culture of life." It was like watching him struggle with his own personal political demons in public, but he didn't tell us who to vote for. Well, apparently he doesn't like it when other people tell us who to vote for either.

I'm trying to get a sense of what is being stressed in the media coverage the day after the debate. Basically I want to contact them to register my satisfaction and dissatisfaction, but I was at work most of the day, and can't watch all the shows. So let me know what you saw.

Particularly, regarding the debate, did they cover, or over-cover, the Mary Cheney comment?

Did they cover the president's I never said I didn't care about OBL statement?

I saw Elizabeth Edwards in East Brunswick, NJ at a Women for Kerry fundraiser/rally. I've now seen her, her husband, and that guy who is going to be the president. Don't tell anyone, but Elizabeth Edwards was my favorite. It may partly have been because there were a lot less people there - tickets were $300 and $1,000, or $50 for students (another reason to be happy I haven't finished my dissertation and am therefore still a student) so it didn't quite get the same crowds as the free events. Plus I was smart and came early, so I was near the front. But mainly I think I liked it so much because she doesn't really give a speech. I mean, she doesn't just go up there and ramble, but she does seem more like she's just talking.

If anyone didn't hear it on Air America this morning, Unfiltered has been encouraging their audience to email Oprah in an attempt to get her to have Bev Harris on her show. I sent an email when Bev was on during the RNC, and I'll probably send another one.

Naturally, if you could email anyone from any media outlet you think might get the word out about this. But Oprah is a particularly good target. Obviously, she has a large audience. But there are other advantages as well.

Anyone see it? He was incredible. Stewart shot down the "Kerry brought the Swifties on himself" argument Koppel gave -- pointing out the problem is they're lying (duh). Then Koppel argued the "fact vs truth" idea -- it's a fact they made the allegations, therefore it's news and the truth will catch up. And Stewart just killed it. He said the media says the Republicans are winning not because they are better but because they are better at playing the game and the media is being slammed -- the need to take a more active to reform that for the good of the public trust.

Jon Stewart makes me weep with joy.

This is my first diary, so I hope it's ok.

I know a lot of people on this site write letters to the editor, which is great. It's a way to get your message out to a lot of people. And it's constructive -- sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in hand-wringing about the campaign. The truth is there is little we can do about the campaign, but we can still get our message out.