Sirius has Howard Stern ...

... but XM Satellite Radio has the presidential candidates, beginning Monday with its POTUS '08 programming on Channel 130.  (We know, it sounds vaguely anatomical, but it's the acronym for president of the United States.) You already know something about this, and now that it's about to launch it seems like an ambitious effort, with some original programming augmented by audio from FOX, CNN, ABC and other sources.  The candidates will each get some free air time daily to bring their messages to the people -- and any aliens listening in.

Public radio veteran Rebecca Roberts is the managing editor of the project, and other program hosts include pollster/analyst John Zogby.  The channel is available free for anyone with an XM radio (no subscription fees).  So far no indication that Sirius will be following suit, or what kind of listenership it might get.  But any medium featured in a Steve Earle song must have something going for it.

-- Scott Martelle