Menino hints at possible re-election without official declaration

Despite a loaded comment from Mayor Thomas Menino at a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast Sunday that hinted at a possible campaign for re-election, he has still not made an official declaration of whether he plans to run again after 16 years in office.

As speculations fly, candidates for the mayoral race said they expect Menino to eventually announce his candidacy. Mayoral candidate Kevin McCrea’s campaign manager, John Tracy, said they are assuming Menino will run and see his timing as a potential strategy.

‘We definitely think he will declare,’ Tracy said.

The breakfast comment that has sparked speculation found Menino comparing himself to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, according to The Boston Herald.

‘We both have beautiful wives, we both had knee surgery and we’ll both be back leading our team for years to come,’ he said.

When asked about his statement by WBZ NewsRadio reporter Carl Stevens, Menino said his words did not have a deeper meaning.

‘I was talking about being a captain of a team that continues to move forward, but I didn’t say what team,’ he said. ‘It’s a day of joviality, a day when we can be tongue in cheek.’

Many said they expected Menino to declare his candidacy in January during the State of the City address, but Menino never announced any clear plans.

However, in the closing remarks of his address, Menino made an allusion to future years in Boston.

‘Boston’s best days are ahead of us,’ he said. ‘I pledge to you that I will continue to work tirelessly to move our city forward this year and in the years ahead.’

Tracy said Menino’s timing could potentially work to his advantage because it will force the candidates to ‘fight it out.’

‘He can easily say that he ‘just wants to govern’ while the other candidates knock each other out,’ Tracy said.

Tracy said the potential for running against an incumbent like Menino would have positive and negative aspects.

‘Incumbents have a huge advantage, but people want change in the city,’ he said. ‘It’s going to be a tougher race for Menino.’

City Councilor-At-Large and mayoral candidate Sam Yoon said he also thinks the race will be challenging, but he remains confident in his chances.

‘There is a sense of openness to change among Boston voters,’ he said.

Both Yoon and McCrea’s campaigns emphasize the need for change in Boston politics, echoing President Barack Obama’s campaign trail message. The two candidates will also run against City Councilor-At-Large Michael Flaherty.

‘Government is not always as open as it should be,’ Tracy said. ‘In a political climate of change pushed by Obama, people are seeing things in city government they want changed.’

Although Yoon said he thinks change is a great message, he does not plan on following that message just because it worked for Obama. Yoon said Menino’s 16 years as mayor will work against him.

‘To be fair, anyone who has been in office for 16 years can’t be expected to be a champion for fundamental change in years 17 to 20,’ he said.