New In The Phoenix -- Mayoral Musings

In this week's issue of the Boston Phoenix -- in print tomorrow, online now -- I columnize on a coupla city-politics items. First, I spread the speculation that 2009 could end up playing out like 1983. That year, long-time Mayor Kevin White looked like he was heading for re-election. But then a troublesome federal investigation -- headed by some upstart Republican named William Weld -- hounded White's administration to the point that White dropped out of the race. Could Michael Sullivan, now that his US Attorney's office has his nose inside City Hall, play Weld in the 2009 version? Is Sam Yoon the new Mel King; ie, grassroots, progressive representative of a new Boston? And is Michael Flaherty reprising the role of David Finnegan, the Southie pol with city-wide electoral success (back when school committee was elected)? And if that's the scenario, who plays Ray Flynn? I await your theories.

Also, I look at an odd little maneuver pulled by Sam Yoon last week concerning a Chinese airline. Read the column here:

Free For All: Is Mayor Menino getting White-washed? Plus, Sam Yoon's not-so-friendly skies.