Candidates for 8th District Square Off at Debate

Speaking before 275 people at the Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester, 10 candidates in the 8th Congressional District race held a panel discussion about the social issues dear to Democratic hearts.

In a discussion that included education, health care and community development, the entirely Democratic field agreed on major issues, but candidates struggled to differentiate themselves during the discussion.

The debate was hosted by Citizens' Schools, an after-school program for nine to 14-year-olds.

The candidates sat in front of a colorful banner that bore the slogan, "It's not over until you win," and candidates seemed to take the motto to heart.

In the presence of children from the Citizens' Schools program--which ran a voter registration drive--education became the main focus of discussion.

"I am so committed to opening our public schools to three and four-year-olds...your children deserve better than they are getting from this country today," said George Bachrach, a former state senator.

"We need a computer on every desk by a certain grade," said John O'Connor, an industrialist.

Stressing his past accomplishments in the educational arena, Somerville Mayor Frank Capuano said he has brought average class size down to 19, the lowest in the district.

Medical care was also a major topic, and the candidates were unanimously in favor of universal care.

Susan Tracy, a Brighton lawyer, suggested letting people buy into Medicaid at age 55 and said she desired "free and available" health care for every American.

Thomas M. Keane Jr. '78, a Boston city councilor, said that quality of care as well as coverage was an issue.

"We have focused so much on controlling costs that we have lost our ability to focus on quality of care," Keane said.

The candidates were also in agreement about the country's need for economic development and a strong economy.

Former mayor of Boston Ray Flynn asserted his economic sensibilities by saying he had brought needed funds to the city.

Margorie O'Neill Clapprood, a former state representative suggested using "creative solutions" to solve economic problems. She proposed providing loans to welfare mothers which would allow them to open day-care centers.

Beyond appealing to popular issues, many of the candidates attempted to show they were in touch with the audience by discussing their own modest upbringings.

Clapprood spoke of an alcoholic father and growing up on welfare, and Tracey pointed out her working class background.

Charles Yancey, a Boston City Council member, emphasized that he has lived in Codman Square for 25 years.

The candidates, by uniformly skirting controversies, found themselves attempting to distinguish themselves by the end of the discussion.

Capuano said that since the politicians were generally on the "same page" on major issues, voters must try to discern which candidate will truly fight for them.

Rodriguez urged voters not to overestimate the similarities.

"While we might be very similar, we're not identical," Rodriguez said. "You have a responsibility to find the differences."

In his closing statement, Bachrach, drew some sharp distinctions between himself and other candidates. He said, for example, that he opposes charter schoolswhereas Gabrieli supports them.

Some voters were unhappy with candidates'attempts to distinguish themselves.

"I couldn't help but think...they're all socoached at this...they all know what we want tohear," said Caroline M. Scherr, a Cambridgeresident. "That's why they sounded so similar.

Some voters were unhappy with candidates'attempts to distinguish themselves.

"I couldn't help but think...they're all socoached at this...they all know what we want tohear," said Caroline M. Scherr, a Cambridgeresident. "That's why they sounded so similar.