These are four language-related election stories that could have been written -- four reasons why language in America should get its own beat.

1. Kerry's "gaffe" had signs of a botched preparation, and no signs of botched delivery. Experts on error in language would weigh in.

2. Voting rights and languages other than English. Did polls have bilingual workers? Who were they, where do they come from?

3. What language agenda would a Democratic Congress have? English Only would be off the table; expansion of spending on non-English federal services?

4. Bilingual political messages & who makes them -- up and coming political consultants and the rise of ethnic media. Here in Texas, it would be Hubert Vo, the first Vietnamese-American elected to the state House.

Some of these might have been done locally; if so, I haven't seen them. But they're nationally important: voting rights, language attitudes, demographic shifts toward bilinguals and non-native English speakers. Reported local examples should inform a portrait with national implications.