Handicapping the 15-headed horse race that is Boston's at-large City Council election
By CHRIS FARAONE | August 12, 2009
Even knowledgeable City Hall insiders know they're better off scratching lotto tickets than wagering on Boston politics. But if you must gamble in the 15-way horse race that is the September 22 councilor-at-large preliminary election, then it would be wise to bet that current Democratic officeholders Stephen Murphy and John Connolly will win two of the eight positions determined on that day (as well as half of the final four spots yielded by the November 3 election).
As for the rest of the bracket (which consists of nine Democrats, two Republicans, and two unaffiliated candidates — and, remarkably, just one woman), this is our attempt to separate the true wack jobs from the mere moonbat optimists, as Howie Carr might call some of the Obama-inspired idealists vying for at-large positions. Culling information from questionnaires, recent coverage, campaign literature, and interviews, we did our best to offer snapshots of a group that actually has several impressive candidates. We've divided the field into the current favorites, the hopefuls, and the long shots. Feel free to defy the odds, and make up your own mind.
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Final four?, For city council, Menino, again, More
- Final four?
Some of Boston's savviest political insiders were confident of one thing going into last week's preliminary election: the top four finishers in the at-large City Council race would not be the same quartet to actually win those four seats in November.
- For city council
When Boston City Councilors Michael Flaherty and Sam Yoon declared their candidacies for mayor many months ago, the duo opened up what is normally a very narrow field for at-large Council candidates.
- Menino, again
At a time when Americans are racked by anxiety about the uncertain future of a weak economy, Boston voters handily returned Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to an unprecedented fifth term.
- Oil, oil, everywhere
It is not enough that British Petroleum’s wounded oil well in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico continues to bleed millions of gallons of viscous crude oil, killing marshes that could offer protection from future hurricanes, destroying habitats for migrating birds, fouling coastal commercial-fishing grounds.
- Weenie Roast!
A year ago, with scandals and embarrassments swirling around Massachusetts state politics, the Phoenix tossed some well-deserving pols on the flames in our first annual Memorial Day political roast. I'm pleased that I've been invited back.
- Dead end in Dudley
September was a sexy month for the future of Boston's landscape.
- The persecution rests
Charles Dickens believed that the law is an ass. Well, he might have been right: last week's federal-court conviction of six-term Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner on bribery charges certainly seems to support that theory.
- L'affaire Olbermann
Keith Olbermann's brief suspension from MSNBC for giving $2400 to each of three Democratic congressional candidates is an interesting case study.
- Kids In The Hall
Boston City Hall politics, normally a year-round spectator sport, was largely overshadowed this year by state and national campaigns. With the attention off, a surprising amount of activity has been going on — not in the mayor's office, but down the corridor in the Boston City Council.
- Viral justice?
The seven-minute YouTube clip begins with five Boston police officers, crowding a Roxbury Community College entranceway, restraining a face-down suspect.
- The rumor mill
The energy in this year’s at-large race for Boston City Council is not to be found on the campaign trail.
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