Word: council
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...first option is to take the conservatives' traditional approach, building up personal coalitions relying on personality and a few wellknown positions as well as on the backing of the ever-powerful CCA. No liberal council candidate has ever run as well as David Sullivan, who appealed in large part to the new voters--students and tenants in particular. Sullivan waged a traditional campaign--pressing the flesh, ringing the doorbells--and he built up a large network of volunteers independent of the CCA. The trend is obvious down the line. Francis Duehay'55, who also ran a high-budget, high-profile...
Velluci's support is not likely to waver, although he may demand the mayor's office as a token of appreciation. But when Velluci, the senior member of the council, someday decides not to run again, his decision won't add his East Cambridge constituency to the CCA ranks. The Italian-surnamed successor that Vellucci-supporters are likely to find won't prove as liberal. Instead, a new neighborhood dynasty, like those built by other city conservatives, could rise, toppling the liberal coalition majority and with it rent control...
There is inherent danger in emphasizing personal tactics to the exclusion of the CCA. Under Cambridge's proportional representation system, the second preference votes often turn out to be crucial in deciding the last few council seats--for many years they gave the CCA a fourth seat. If personal dynasties become too powerful, unschooled liberal voters might bullet-vote regularly, robbing the progressive slate of support. This year's experience indicates that that problem can be overcome, however. Sullivan, who explained to voters in person and on his literature that a vote for him had to be backed up with...
Increasing slate loyalty among black voters is another way the CCA could improve its electoral performance. Three black candidates--Saundra Graham. Alvin Thompson and Severlin Singleton--ran for council this year. Only one, incumbent Graham, was elected. The second-choice votes on the ballots cast for all three tended to be for one of the other black candidates. Often voters chose the three blacks and didn't bother to vote past that. How to pick up stronger slate support from black voters is a tricky problem, but one the CCA must address if it wants the few hundred votes that...
...five seats would make the CCA really happy. There is plenty of reason for jubilation among Cambridge liberals this week--they did better than ever before. But the biggest party will come the day the CCA captures five seats on the city council...