In May, The Boston Globe conducted a poll to find out what Bostonians think of their city's mayor, Tom Menino. Most of the questions were common to public-opinion surveys about elected officials: Do you approve or disapprove of the way he is doing his job? Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of him? But there was one question that seemed out of place, as if the Globe's pollsters had gotten their scripts mixed up and, rather than asking about a big-city mayor, were instead inquiring about a bucolic New England town selectman: "Have you, personally, ever met" Menino?
The question was presumably inspired by the fact that, in the 16 years he's served as Boston's mayor, Menino has yet to encounter a civic event he deems beneath his station to attend. Beauty-parlor openings, pancake breakfasts, Little League games--he shows up at all of them. ("If you're going to have your dog spayed, you call him, he'll be there," one Bostonian recently told the Globe's Scott Helman.) Still, in a major city of nearly 600,000 people, could a statistically significant portion of the populace actually have met their mayor? As it turns out, in Tom Menino's Boston, the answer is yes; according to the Globe's poll, a remarkable 57 percent of them, in fact.
"That's just me, Tom Menino--I'm out there listening to people, talking to people," the mayor told me one recent afternoon, at once shrugging off and trying to explain his omnipresence. That morning, he'd been at a ribbon-cutting for a new playground. At lunchtime, he'd visited a senior-citizens center. Now, Menino was sequestered in his campaign headquarters, which was unusually bustling for a Menino campaign headquarters three months before voting day. In the past, Menino hasn't had to put much effort into getting reelected, running against either token or no opposition. Even his initial entry to the office was frictionless: As then-city council president in 1993, he inherited the mayor's job when Bill Clinton made Ray Flynn his Vatican ambassador.
But this year, as Menino seeks an unprecedented fifth term--a feat that eluded all of the men who served as Boston mayor before him, including political legends James Michael Curley and Kevin White--he is facing not only a crippling budget crisis, but two credible challengers, both city councilmen. (The mayoral candidates will compete in a preliminary election in September, with the top two finishers facing off in November.) As a result, the 66-year-old Menino is campaigning earlier and harder than ever before. Paul Maslin, a pollster whom Menino recently hired, says, "I think it's a given that it's going to be his toughest race to date."
Menino points to any number of accomplishments that have occurred on his watch, from housing to health care. "I'll put my record up against anybody's record," he told me. And the Globe poll in May did find that 73 percent of Bostonians approve of the job he's done. But, in some ways, the upcoming election is less a referendum on Menino's record than a battle over Boston's self-image.
For a city whose residents like to think of their burg as "The Athens of America," Menino can be a confounding figure--especially to those who reside on the ever-growing-in-number gown side of Boston's long-standing town-and-gown divide. Unlike White, the ambitious liberal reformer with Williams and Harvard degrees who presided over Boston during the turbulent 1970s, Menino is a prosaic urban mechanic who not only got his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, but did so at the age of 45. Of course, Curley, who dominated Boston's political scene for much of the first half of the twentieth century, had a similarly provincial outlook and pedigree; but what he lacked in ideological and educational distinction, he made up for in force of personality, ultimately becoming known across America as "The Rascal King." Menino, by contrast, exudes a sort of anti-charisma--even in his dapper suits, he appears lumpy--and has been saddled with the nickname "Mumbles," owing to his infamously poor locution ("dropping not just r's, but also t's, as if introducing an advanced strain of the Boston accent into the city," as Boston Magazine's Joe Keohane expertly described it).
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COMMENTS (14)
This is great. New Boston versus Old Boston, embodied in the two candidates. Seems like Menino comes from another era. Will be exciting to see what happens.
This is great. New Boston versus Old Boston, embodied in the two candidates. Seems like Menino comes from another era. Will be exciting to see what happens.
Interesting read - Boston is one of the last machine cities. It would be exciting to see a young progressive challenge Menino. This is a race to watch, Yoon might spice it up.
Interesting read - Boston is one of the last machine cities. It would be exciting to see a young progressive challenge Menino. This is a race to watch, Yoon might spice it up.
You didn't mention anything about Flaherty or Yoon's accomplishments - are there any?
Attended one of the Mayor's "green" events the other day, spoke volumes with his substance. Why take the cheap shot at his speaking - I thought only the right wing Herald does that.
You didn't mention anything about Flaherty or Yoon's accomplishments - are there any?
Attended one of the Mayor's "green" events the other day, spoke volumes with his substance. Why take the cheap shot at his speaking - I thought only the right wing Herald does that.
It is tempting in the national context to paint Yoon as the stronger challenger here but I am not convinced. Neither candidate has painted a positive picture of Boston's future, instead they try to chip away at policy points, which can be seen as trivial—particularly to the yuppies. Meanwhile, of the people who do pay attention to Boston political trivia—those that have deep roots here, own property, and have had more interaction with the city than shaking the mayor's hand—many, particularly in the white Irish enclaves that still count for a disproportionate number of votes, are starting to break for Flaherty. They do this just from a good government/good business environment standpoin ... view full comment
It is tempting in the national context to paint Yoon as the stronger challenger here but I am not convinced. Neither candidate has painted a positive picture of Boston's future, instead they try to chip away at policy points, which can be seen as trivial—particularly to the yuppies. Meanwhile, of the people who do pay attention to Boston political trivia—those that have deep roots here, own property, and have had more interaction with the city than shaking the mayor's hand—many, particularly in the white Irish enclaves that still count for a disproportionate number of votes, are starting to break for Flaherty. They do this just from a good government/good business environment standpoint. My point being that Flaherty, in my view, is making more headway at the moment.
The real wild card is communities of color. Yuppies alone cannot carry an election in Boston. And Yoon has yet to prove any huge momentum in black, Latino, and even Vietnamese or other immigrant neighborhoods, and stands aloof in many neighborhoods because he has been focused on policy instead of meeting people and building networks (his objection to ribbon cuttings will hurt him). These are neighborhoods where the mayor has a strong presence and holds the purse strings to many things in many ways.
The machine is alive and well, to ignore it you would have to have incredible charisma and appeal to the 30 something set. Yoon just isn't catching fire, even though his more meritocratic mindset would and should resonate across all boundaries.
It is time for Menino to go this isn't a monarchy you aren't supposed to die in office.
The ineffectiveness of Boston's government is killing this city and if we don't get new leadership, Boston will end up a joke and not a world class city!
It is time for Menino to go this isn't a monarchy you aren't supposed to die in office.
The ineffectiveness of Boston's government is killing this city and if we don't get new leadership, Boston will end up a joke and not a world class city!
this mayoral race is so much deeper than the "yuppie voting bloc." Sure there is a changing demographic with Boston residents, and sure Yoon wishes to build partnerships with universities, and he proposes yuppie friendly green ideas.
But, what sets him apart is his zeal for those who do not have a voice in government. His years as a community organizer showed that systemic change comes from within government, and in Boston, this only happens from the mayor's office. Take a look at his proposals for redoing the zoning commission. Here is real change, change that speaks well beyond the South End, and into the neighborhoods that have been neglected or abused through years of urban renewal.
Menin ... view full comment
this mayoral race is so much deeper than the "yuppie voting bloc." Sure there is a changing demographic with Boston residents, and sure Yoon wishes to build partnerships with universities, and he proposes yuppie friendly green ideas.
But, what sets him apart is his zeal for those who do not have a voice in government. His years as a community organizer showed that systemic change comes from within government, and in Boston, this only happens from the mayor's office. Take a look at his proposals for redoing the zoning commission. Here is real change, change that speaks well beyond the South End, and into the neighborhoods that have been neglected or abused through years of urban renewal.
Menino has been reactionary as mayor, epitomized by his effort to confront teen violence by pulling "stop snitching" t-shits from stores. He envisions a skyscraper as his legacy, and does not dig beyond photo opportunities for the communities that need urgent attention.
As an unabashed Tom Menino supporter, my views maybe tainted. But the writer may want to check his facts, Hyde Park is a minority majority neighborhood, not longer white. Boston is a minority majority city.
Tom Menino has great numbers because he works every day for the people of the City of Boston and residents know that. He maybe not a smooth speaker but he is a straight shooter.
The reporter should spend the day seeing what he does and how he does it.
As an unabashed Tom Menino supporter, my views maybe tainted. But the writer may want to check his facts, Hyde Park is a minority majority neighborhood, not longer white. Boston is a minority majority city.
Tom Menino has great numbers because he works every day for the people of the City of Boston and residents know that. He maybe not a smooth speaker but he is a straight shooter.
The reporter should spend the day seeing what he does and how he does it.
It is laughable that a reputable magazine like The New Republic would claim with absolutely no proof or justification that Sam Yoon will prove a more formidable challenger to Tom Menino than Michael Flaherty. The author and editor(s) obviously know nothing about the city of Boston.
Tom Menino will be re-elected and probably by a wide margin in November, but Michael Flaherty will easily outpoll Sam Yoon in the September preliminary. Bank on it.
It is laughable that a reputable magazine like The New Republic would claim with absolutely no proof or justification that Sam Yoon will prove a more formidable challenger to Tom Menino than Michael Flaherty. The author and editor(s) obviously know nothing about the city of Boston.
Tom Menino will be re-elected and probably by a wide margin in November, but Michael Flaherty will easily outpoll Sam Yoon in the September preliminary. Bank on it.
I'm with commenter 8 - you have no idea what you're talking about - here's the thing Menino owns the voting constituency blocs in Boston to win. He owns the North Dorchester, Roxbury, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale wards - he owns the city workers and is very popular with the elderly. Supposedly the firefighters are going with Flaherty and I know some people in West Roxbury who are organizing for him but there's no way they're going to win because he's not out of the blocks fast enough and all these city workers and other city hanger oners aren't going to cross Menino and get cut off at the knees. Yoon is going nowhere and will get personally destroyed like Peggy whatshername and Maura Henn ... view full comment
I'm with commenter 8 - you have no idea what you're talking about - here's the thing Menino owns the voting constituency blocs in Boston to win. He owns the North Dorchester, Roxbury, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale wards - he owns the city workers and is very popular with the elderly. Supposedly the firefighters are going with Flaherty and I know some people in West Roxbury who are organizing for him but there's no way they're going to win because he's not out of the blocks fast enough and all these city workers and other city hanger oners aren't going to cross Menino and get cut off at the knees. Yoon is going nowhere and will get personally destroyed like Peggy whatshername and Maura Hennigan if he ends up in the citywide general election against Menino. I know Flaherty and he's a decent guy but the other city councilors like Murphy and Connolly aren't going to step up for him because for 1 Connolly wants him to go down and 2 they're not going to back a loser. I'll make a long range prediction and go with Connolly as the next mayor of Boston. He's a nice guy, has broader appeal than Flaherty and he's from West Roxbury but has the citywide council seat. I like Menino personally and see him and his wife a number of times a year but eventually has to go but it's going to take someone with a wider appeal than Flaherty or Yoon to take him down. The author is under the delusion that the Boston Globe has any influence on city politics outside of the Back Bay, south End and JP.
There are a couple of factual inaccuracies in this piece that jump out to anyone from Boston: Mischaracterizing Hyde Park and calling them "councilmen" are two. At any rate, the piece fails to discuss Menino's strong support within the progressive community. That community is very much split on who to support. Without them as a bloc, Yoon has a much more uphill climb than the reporter alluded to.
There are a couple of factual inaccuracies in this piece that jump out to anyone from Boston: Mischaracterizing Hyde Park and calling them "councilmen" are two. At any rate, the piece fails to discuss Menino's strong support within the progressive community. That community is very much split on who to support. Without them as a bloc, Yoon has a much more uphill climb than the reporter alluded to.
Sam Yoon could easily take the race if 32 percent or more voters turn out on September 22nd. Today, the majority of Boston residents aren't Italian or Irish. They are non-white and favor Yoon overwhelmingly. Boston's neighborhoods like Dorchester and Roxbury are his stronghold. Meanwhile, Menino lowering voter expectations and has a better chance if fewer voters turn out. But he's had 16 years and Boston doesn't need a monarch. Yoon is a change agent consistent with American's vision at both the presidential and grass roots levels.
Sam Yoon could easily take the race if 32 percent or more voters turn out on September 22nd. Today, the majority of Boston residents aren't Italian or Irish. They are non-white and favor Yoon overwhelmingly. Boston's neighborhoods like Dorchester and Roxbury are his stronghold. Meanwhile, Menino lowering voter expectations and has a better chance if fewer voters turn out. But he's had 16 years and Boston doesn't need a monarch. Yoon is a change agent consistent with American's vision at both the presidential and grass roots levels.
Another reason why non-presidential elections, even mayoral, have such poor turnout in Boston is that at 600,000 vs. 7,000,000 - the city of Boston's population versus the size of the Greater Boston media market, the city's issues are just not that prominent in local TV and radio coverage (and who really reads the Globe or the Herald anymore?) I compare the coverage of the city of Boston's issues to what I see when I am in NYC and watch local news there - it's night and day. Mayor Menino operates somewhat under the radar, especially when compared with Mayor Bloomberg. That's why he's met 57% of the electorate - an impossible feat for NYC. Also, Menino does quite well in the African-Americ ... view full comment
Another reason why non-presidential elections, even mayoral, have such poor turnout in Boston is that at 600,000 vs. 7,000,000 - the city of Boston's population versus the size of the Greater Boston media market, the city's issues are just not that prominent in local TV and radio coverage (and who really reads the Globe or the Herald anymore?) I compare the coverage of the city of Boston's issues to what I see when I am in NYC and watch local news there - it's night and day. Mayor Menino operates somewhat under the radar, especially when compared with Mayor Bloomberg. That's why he's met 57% of the electorate - an impossible feat for NYC. Also, Menino does quite well in the African-American and Hispanic areas of the city, places that 'minority' Yoon has no traction. Mayor Mumbles will win a 5th term easily - and it won't be such a bad thing at all.
I love Mayor Menino because he has boycotted South Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade since the parade organizers refused to let a gay & lesbian Irish group participate back in the mid-1990s -- and he remains the only politician to do so. Gays & lesbains still aren't welcome in this parade, but Yoon, Flaherty, and other politicians still march every year, to my continuing amazement. Menino has a solid following in the progressive community that Yoon and the white guys challenging Menino have not captured because of his quiet, principled actions like this.
I love Mayor Menino because he has boycotted South Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade since the parade organizers refused to let a gay & lesbian Irish group participate back in the mid-1990s -- and he remains the only politician to do so. Gays & lesbains still aren't welcome in this parade, but Yoon, Flaherty, and other politicians still march every year, to my continuing amazement. Menino has a solid following in the progressive community that Yoon and the white guys challenging Menino have not captured because of his quiet, principled actions like this.
I live in Boston, a recent mover, and am a black professional. Mayor Menino may be a nice guy, always visible in the community, but he is nowhere near as effective and 'impactful' policywise as another mayor-for-life, Richard Daley of Chicago. Boston is still woefully lacking in high-profile, influential minority public figures who can empower minority communities, and re-electing Menino will do nothing to change that.
I live in Boston, a recent mover, and am a black professional. Mayor Menino may be a nice guy, always visible in the community, but he is nowhere near as effective and 'impactful' policywise as another mayor-for-life, Richard Daley of Chicago. Boston is still woefully lacking in high-profile, influential minority public figures who can empower minority communities, and re-electing Menino will do nothing to change that.