Description: Michael Connolly (Massachusetts Secretary of State) draws names from a spinning drum to determine the order of the names of the Democratic presidential candidates on the Massachusetts primary ballot. State officials Thomas Fitzgerald, Paul Williams and others draw names. Jesse Jackson gets the top position on the ballot; Connolly comments on Jackson's popularity with voters. Connolly endorses Walter Mondale; says that press conference was organized in order to raise voter awareness and to promote voter registration. Connolly tells the press that he expects to run for the US Senate. Kate McGrath (WGBH reporter) stands outside of Connolly's office to report on Massachusetts Presidential primary elections.
0:59:55: Visual: Shot of a large sign with an image of the Massachusetts electoral ballot for the Democratic presidential primary election. Michael Connolly (Secretary of State) steps up to a spinning drum. He asks for volunteers to help him choose names from the drum. Connolly announces that the eve of the presidential primary elections is two months away. Connolly notes that the presidential primary is on March 13; that the state primary election is on September 18; that the presidential and state elections will be held on November 6. Connolly notes that the governor held a press conference in the morning about voter registration and voter participation. Connolly announces that he will draw the names of the eight democratic presidential candidates in order to determine their ballot positions on March 13. Connolly notes that Ronald Reagan (US President) will be the only candidate on the Republican ballot. Connolly draws the first name. Connolly announces that Jesse Jackson (Democratic candidate for US president) will be the first name on the ballot. Shot of the sign with the image of the electoral ballot. Jackson's name is put on the first line of the ballot. Connolly invites Thomas Fitzgerald (state official) to draw the second name. Fitzgerald draws the name of Senator Gary Hart (Democratic candidate for US president). Shot of the sign with the image of the electoral ballot. Hart's name is put on the second line of the ballot. Connolly draws the name of Reubin Askew (Democratic candidate for US president. Paul Williams (state official) places Askew's name on the third line of the large electoral ballot. Paul Williams draws the name of George McGovern (Democratic candidate for US president). Williams places McGovern's name of the fourth line of the large electoral ballot. An older man pulls the name of Walter Mondale (Democratic candidate for US president). Williams places Mondale's name on the fifth line of the large electoral ballot. A male media photographer pulls the name of Ernest Hollings (Democratic candidate for US president). Williams places Hollings name on the sixth line of the large electoral ballot. Another man pulls the name of Alan Cranston (Democratic candidate for US president) . Williams places Cranston's name on the seventh line of the ballot and places the name of John Glenn (Democratic candidate for US president) on the eighth line. Shot of the sign with the image of the electoral ballot. Connolly says that there is approximately one month remaining for new voter registration. A reporter asks Connolly if Jackson's ballot position will be an advantage. Connolly says that he believes that the first ballot position is worth less than one percentage point. Connolly says that the voters are very familiar with the candidates. Connolly notes that Jackson is "on a roll"; that Jackson probably picked up supporters in his efforts to secure the release of Lieutenant Robert Goodman (US Navy) from Syria. A reporter asks Connolly which candidate he supports. Connolly says that he is endorsing Mondale. Connolly says that the presidential candidates are well-known; that the some candidates are more visible than others; that ballot position should have little effect on the outcome of the election. Connolly says that he is trying to raise voter awareness today; that he wants more people to register to vote. A reporter asks Connolly if he will be a candidate for US Senate. Connolly says that he expects to be a candidate for US Senate; that he will not yet announce his candidacy in deference to Paul Tsongas (US Senator). Connolly closes the press conference. Shots of the enlarged electoral ballot. 1:08:21: V: Shot of the exterior of Connolly's office. There is a holiday wreath on the door. The letters on the door read, "Michael Joseph Connolly, Secretary of the Commonwealth." Kate McGrath (WGBH reporter) stands outside of Connolly's office. McGrath notes that Connolly reminded voters that there are four weeks left to register for the presidential primary. McGrath reports that Jackson's top ballot spot may generate interest in the election among unregistered voters. McGrath does several takes of her close to the story.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/12/1984
Description: Reporter Christopher Lydon interviews attendees of the inauguration of Ray Flynn as Mayor of Boston, in the Wang Center. The crowd cheers as Flynn and former mayor Kevin White pass by. Lydon interviews attendees of the inauguration in the lobby of the Wang Center. Interviewees express concerns about unemployment, crime, the restoration of city services and the city budget. Cynthia Silveira (Dorchester resident) says that she appreciates Flynn's commitment to diversity and unity but is suspicious of his past voting record on racial issues. Lydon interviews people outside of the Wang Center. Harry Spence (Boston Housing Authority) says that Flynn delivered a "solid" speech, but will face difficulties in delivering city services and achieving racial harmony. George Keverian (State Representative) says that Flynn is the right person to unite the city. Louise Day Hicks (former member of the Boston City Council) says that Flynn must strike a balance between downtown concerns and neighborhood interests. Hicks says that South Boston is the "center of the city." Hicks speaks to Dapper O'Neil outside of the Wang Center. Felix Arroyo (Latino activist) hopes that Flynn will deliver on his promises; Arroyo believes that it will be difficult for Flynn to integrate the city's neighborhoods. Elma Lewis (African American activist) says that she and others will work with Flynn to improve the city. Lewis adds that she is "always looking for diversity." Claire Crawford (Boston resident) says that Flynn is a "people's mayor." Flynn exits the Wang Center and gets in his station wagon; crowd cheers. Lydon interviews James Kelly (South Boston Information Center). Kelly expresses reservations about Flynn's proposal for District Advisory Councils. Thomas Menino (Boston City Council) compliments Flynn's inaugural speech.
1:00:00: Visual: Christopher Lydon interviews a white male about the inaugural speech of Ray Flynn (Mayor, City of Boston) at the Wang Center for the Performing Arts. The man says that Flynn gave a strong speech; that he is optimistic about Flynn's administration. The man says that Flynn will face challenges in improving the schools. Lydon speaks informally to the man. 1:00:45: V: Uniformed officers march up the stairs in the lobby of the Wang Center. People are gathered in the lobby. The audience cheers as Flynn exits a room and proceeds up the stairs. Flynn's young daughter holds his hand as he walks up the stairs. Flynn stops to greet bystanders as he passes. Kevin White (former Mayor of Boston) and Kathryn White (wife of Kevin White) proceed up the stairs after Flynn. 1:02:12: V: Lydon interviews a white man who is a Dorchester resident. The man says that Flynn is the first mayor since Josiah Quincy to have a "sense of the city"; that Flynn is familiar with the neighborhoods and the downtown. Lydon interviews a white middle-aged man about Flynn's speech. The man says that Flynn's speech was very good; that Flynn understands that the government exists to serve the people. The man says that Flynn will face a challenge in restoring city services during an economic crisis. An older white woman says that Flynn's speech was "wonderful." The woman says that Flynn will face a challenge in reducing unemployment; that Flynn's emphasis on unity was important. Cynthia Silveira (Dorchester resident) says that Flynn's speech was good; that she hesitates to trust Flynn because of his past voting record on racial issues. Silveira says that it will be difficult for Flynn to give his full attention to Boston neighborhoods; that she appreciates his commitment to diversity and unity. An older Irish woman recognizes Lydon from television. Her companions explains that they are from the region of Ireland where Flynn's family is from. The second Irish woman says that the speech was "wonderful." An older white woman says that Flynn will be a good mayor if he delivers what he promised in the speech; that it will be difficult for Flynn to reduce the crime rate. An older white man says that Flynn has the right idea; that Flynn will "economize." 1:06:59: V: A crowd streams out of the doors of the Wang Center. Lydon interviews Harry Spence (Boston Housing Authority). Spence says that Flynn delivered a "solid" speech; that it will be difficult for Flynn to deliver services and to achieve racial harmony. Spence says that Flynn's speech expressed his decency and commitment to the people. The crowd continues to exit the building. Groups of people are gathered outside of the doors. Members of the crowd greet Lydon. George Keverian (Massachusetts House of Representatives) greets Lydon and his two daughters. Keverian says that Flynn delivered a good speech; that Flynn's humanity was in evidence. Keverian says that Flynn is the right person to unite the people of Boston. Keverian continues to speak informally to Lydon and his daughters. 1:12:07: V: Louise Day Hicks greets Lydon. Hicks says that Flynn's speech covered many "interesting" and important topics; that South Boston is the "center" of the city. Hicks says that Flynn will need to strike a balance between the neighborhoods and the downtown interests; that Flynn needs to concentrate on affordable housing and crime reduction. Hicks confers with Dapper O'Neil (Boston City Council) on the street outside of the Wang Center. Lydon interviews Felix Arroyo (Latino activist). Arroyo says that the city will be a better place if Flynn can deliver on his promises. Arroyo says that Flynn will face challenges in integrating the neighborhoods; that he appreciates Flynn's commitment to education. Shot of a black car pulled up to the curb in front of the Wang Center. Lydon asks Elma Lewis (African American activist) about Flynn's speech. Lewis say that Flynn put on a good "show"; that inaugural speeches do not mean much; that she and others will work with Flynn to improve the city. Lewis says that she has attended inaugurals for many years; that she would like to have seen "more diversity"; that she is "always looking for more diversity." 1:17:04: V: Claire Crawford (Boston resident) says that Flynn is a "people's mayor." Crawford says that Flynn will face challenges in eliminating racial discrimination. Flynn exits the Wang Center. He greets several groups of bystanders. Photographers crowd around Flynn's station wagon. Flynn clears snow from his windshield. Flynn gets in the car and drives away. The crowd cheers briefly. 1:20:37: V: Lydon interviews Jim Kelly (South Boston Information Center). Kelly says that Flynn gave a good speech; that parts of the speech "concerned" him. Kelly expresses reservations about the District Advisory Councils. Kelly says that Flynn face difficulties in providing services to the city during an economic crisis. Kelly says that the people of South Boston are happy to "have a say" in how the city is run. Lydon begins to interview Thomas Menino (Boston City Council). Menino says that Flynn made an excellent speech.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/02/1984