Political Roundtable, OTR Election Style

On Sunday, WCVB's month-old On The Record (OTR) political talk show reported on the high-profile Mayoral and Senate elections facing voters in Boston and Massachusetts this fall.

Janet Wu's first question to Mayor Tom Menino asked for "specific" answers. He took the request to heart and gave a series of detailed answers, especially on fiscal issues, to Wu and Ed Harding.

Michael Flaherty looked strong when he called for mandatory random drug testing for police, fire and EMS workers, which has become a significant political issue in Boston. One comment Flaherty made was a surprise in that it sounded like perfect material for a Karl Rove attack ad. Flaherty said there was no outrage over Boston having a bomb squad. A bomb squad would appear to be low on the outrage meter.

While it's good both men are still campaigning, seeing both candidates at the OTR table at the same time, instead of separately, two days before an election would have been a nice change of pace.

On the Senate election, Ted Reinstein proved most potential voters don't know, or care, who is running for Senate. And, two people think Hamid Karzai is running, which makes Bostonist laugh for several reasons. Harding and political analyst Larry DiCara weren't surprised by this civic ignorance because the balloon boy and Christmas are so distracting that people can't focus on an election in December. Charlie Manning, another political analyst, said this campaign needs more insults. He also referred to the Democratic candidates as "Three Guys Below Martha," a slightly suggestive phrase that could double as a name for a band.