The un-campaign

Part 6

by Yvonne Abraham

The inevitable third-term backlash is four years away. Right now, Menino has his mind on baser matters. He skipped breakfast, and he's thinking about something greasy for lunch. Ribs, maybe. Tim's Tavern, in the South End, maybe. He likes it there: he's not so crazy about the fancy places.

"What am I gonna do next," Menino asks his driver. "Pull the winner or something?"

They're raffling off a 27-inch TV at the Kit Clarke Senior Center, in Dorchester: the Fields Corner sidewalk sale has moved in here because of the rain, and there are lots of damp folks inside, as well as about 20 senior citizens eating lunch. Menino works his way through the crowd, shakes hands, chats with a couple of the vendors, and heads up front for the speeches.

Neighborhood activist Tom Gannon speaks first, thanking people for turning out, and urging them to come back for a council candidates' night on Monday. Menino stands behind Gannon, swinging his arms back and forth a couple of times, giving a quick let's-do-it clap when it's his turn to step up to the podium. He gives that quick clap a lot, just before he speaks, or when it's time to leave somewhere, or as he approaches a stranger to introduce himself.

"Hey," the mayor begins. "Did you say there was a debate on Monday night? Is there an election this year?

"Just kidding!"

Back to part 5 - On to the numbers

Yvonne Abraham can be reached at yabraham[a]phx.com.

Kate Cunningham provided research assistance on this article.