Presidential candidate Sen. John F. Kerry spoke at the Unity journalists of color convention this morning in Washington, DC. The Democratic candidate drew an enthusiastic applause when he took the stage, dozens of revival-type shout outs during his speech, and a standing ovation.

This, from a room full of several thousand journalists. It’s no wonder critics call the press liberal. It is.

I’m skeptical that President George W. Bush will enjoy as much warmth when he checks in Friday night.

C-SPAN, CNN, Fox News and others broadcast this speech nationally. I can say it made me think about public perceptions. I can’t say it irritated me as much as the head of my newsroom, who sat right next to me.

But, she’s right to dismay.

Any critic who would seize on such an event to illustrate his or her point of press bias toward progressive, liberal ideas would have done so anyway. Still, why give Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage or Bill O’Reilly (likely all three, and many more) ammunition?

One enthusiastic young woman, perhaps 25, jumped and shouted “We love you John Kerry,” while he made his way to the podium. That’s much more than a polite clap or two.

I do think much of the press corps leans left. That OK. It’s the nature of the profession to attract idealists. Droves of young journalists think they have a shot at changing the world. That’s not the kind of mentality that lines up to register a vote for the GOP ticket.

The crux, though, is consciousness. Journalists need to exercise their best restraint in public discourse. It’s not easy; rather, it’s a moment-to-moment decision.

Journalists of all ideological stripes should to ask themselves, “What does this action say about me?”, before acting the fool in public. Trust depends on it.

I’ll write more on Kerry’s address, and Unity itself, as time and consciousness allow. Coming soon, a look at President Bush’s speech Friday night, and a contrast of his reception to Kerry’s.