Bickering over Birmingham. Massachusetts Senate president Tom Birmingham's press secretary, Alison Franklin, writes: "Regarding today's Media Log, I wanted to let you know that contrary to Michael Jonas's assertions in his article, Tom Birmingham did try to talk to Michael on at least four occasions. I know this because I placed the calls and left the messages. Michael was frustrated that he and Tom kept missing each other. That is understandable but it should not have resulted in a mischaracterization of Tom's availability."

Jonas responds: "Senator Birmingham's office did indeed call on several occasions, hoping to put him on the line with me at that moment. However, despite multiple requests over the course of more than five weeks, including at least one full week following the September 17 primary, his office would not agree to schedule a time for him to be interviewed, even for 10 or 15 minutes by telephone, to discuss his Senate presidency."