The Hiller Instinct: Boston's Bid

Mayor Tom Menino (D) Boston
"I'm very optimistic. I think we've done everything they've asked us to over the last several months."

The mayor says Boston's ready, big business has pledged big money and Menino promises the Big Dig will be small potatoes in 2004.

Andy Hiller, Political Editor
"Do you really believe the Big Dig is going to be done then?"

Mayor Tom Menino
"Yes, and the Big Dig's not an issue."

Asked about rival Miami's chances, the mayor turns on the heat:

Mayor Tom Menino
"Why would you go to Miami?...hot, summer, wow!..."

And he also disses Detroit as a convention site:

Mayor Tom Menino
"The problem is you have no place to stay in Detroit. You'll have Quonset huts... and also you'll help build the economy of Canada, because that's where you'll have to stay. They don't have sufficient hotel rooms."

Which leaves New York City, the patriotic front-runner because of its links to the Attack on America... and politically wired because of Bill and Hillary Clinton's links to DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe, who'll make the final choice.

Mayor Tom Menino
"We have Ted Kennedy. We have the ATM machine for the Democratic Party for the past ten years."

Andy Hiller
"They have Ground Zero."

Mayor Tom Menino
"We have America's past with America's future."

The mayor seems so confident, I offer to make a friendly wager:

Mayor Tom Menino
"Let's bet something that's worthwhile."

Andy Hiller
"What would you like to bet?"

Mayor Tom Menino
"You made the bet. I'll just challenge you."

Andy Hiller
"I'll bet you a lobster dinner it's not Boston."

Mayor Tom Menino
"I'll bet you a day with the mayor."

Andy Hiller
"Do I get that if I lose?"

Tomorrow we may all know who won:

Andy Hiller
"So when you go to sleep tonight is there anything special you're going to do?"

Mayor Tom Menino
"I'm going to try to think of how that lobster dinner will be good that you paid for."

This is a bet I wouldn't mind losing and, if all other things were equal, I wouldn't have made it. But, this time around, New York has a special significance no other city can match, which is why I think, both the Democrats and the Republicans will hold their conventions there. But, Mayor, I could be wrong and if I am, would you like more butter?