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With the senate primary this Tuesday, it’s no wonder the campaign volume has risen in recent days, with increased snail mail, recorded phone calls, and emails from the candidates. Today, I spent about 15 minutes on the phone with Dan Murphy, Lowell cc-elect Patrick Murphy’s twin brother and the muscle behind many of his youtube ads. Dan called to discuss Mike Capuano’s candidacy and to ask me to help with phone banking. He’s working the media for Capuano’s campaign and somehow I made his call list. (See LiL for post about his brother’s endorsement.) I like Dan and the entire Murphy clan, and I was happy to talk politics with him. Although he made good points about Capuano: his experience, grassroots campaigning, knowledge on the issues, record of progressive votes, etc—the more we talked, the more I realized, I really want to vote for Martha Coakley. (Prior to this discussion, I thought I was undecided.) I admit, it is hugely compelling that Martha Coakley would be our first women senator from Massachusetts and I could help make it happen. (About time!) Still, I don’t see myself as a gender voter; the bottom line is always the candidate’s values, ideas, and positions on the issues. (For example, I chose Tim Murray for Lt. Governor over two qualified women because he best represented my views and values.) I like Mike, and I like that yesterday a Boston Globe op-ed noted him as the “scrappy” candidate—a plus in a world where we desperately need folks fighting for just causes. But Martha brings her own skill set: she embodies the intelligent, hardworking, ethical female candidate we need in leadership. (The same op-ed described her as “deliberative,” also important in a legislator.) Either one of them would serve my interests in Congress, albeit from different perspectives, but when Tuesday comes, I will vote for Martha Coakley. Whatever your take on the candidates, please show up on election day and vote your choice.

Last night, there were a few must-see-tv events with live broadcasts of both President Obama’s speech about sending more troops to Afghanistan and the senate candidates’ debate. Tonight also includes informational opportunities via the television: The senate candidates will debate again, from 7-8 p.m. on NECN and WBGH channel 2. This debate will be simulcast on the radio and streamed online by 90.9 FM WBUR. In addition, the Lowell School Committee will meet, beginning at 7 p.m. and broadcast on LTC, local cable channel 10. The meeting will start with a Spotlight on Excellence for 28 students from  middle schools across the city who achieved a perfect score of 280 on the MCAS test last year. The meeting will include a special presentation on the district’s results regarding the Growth Model, the state’s new way of looking at student achievement, via MCAS scores, based on individual student progress over the last three years. Also tonight, the school committee will evaluate Dr. Chris Scott’s performance in her first year as superintendent of the Lowell Public Schools.

If you’re thinking about college in the next few years, you should check out tonight’s interactive webcast at 7 p.m. from the Wall Street Journal on Campus. Join with admissions directors from eight top colleges (such as Bryn Mawr, Princeton, Univ. of Pennsylvania, and Wesleyan) as they share how admissions decisions are made, what you need to know to get accepted at top-choice schools, and ways to approach the college search process. The webcast, titled Inside the Admissions Office, explores what admissions counselors look for when reviewing applications, how important grades, class rank, and essays are for getting accepted, and what role parents should play. Tune in for information on these and other issues; you may also ask your own questions by emailing wsjoncampus@unigo.com.