By Pete Stidman
News Editor

'Tis the season to be jolly, and thanks to a stampede toward earlier primary dates across the nation, the season for U.S. Presidential candidates to jockey for support.

Most of Dorchester's elected crowd have crossed to their side of the democratic fence, almost all, of course, agreeing to fall into rank against the Republicans when the time comes. Without too many surprises, they are split roughly down the middle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and a few are still undecided with just over three weeks until Iowa's primary.

Far from being considered an indicator state, the Massachusetts primary won't be held until February 5. But local pols are also coveted for their campaigning and fundraising skills. They are asked to hit the streets, phone banks and campaign offices in nearby New Hampshire and even Iowa, where the hardcore political junkies among them sometimes travel. But more than that, their choices reflect their values, reveal their allegiances and indicate their take on federal politics and how they affect Dorchester.

Obama is the leader among the pols that represent the neighborhood, with two undecided elected officials leaning strongly towards support for the Senator from Illinois, although Hillary Clinton is not far behind and it was a tough choice for many. After a somewhat sleepier 2004 primary season, the 2008 race for the nomination has given pols plenty to talk about.

Sen. Barack Obama

Deval Patrick
Governor

"We need a leader who is ready in our times to call for our service and our sacrifice. You see, this election is not just about who we want, but about who we are. I want a president who understands that. I want Barack Obama." (State House News Service)

Linda Dorcena Forry
State Representative, 12th Suffolk

"I think internationally he talks about reaching out to various countries and creating partnerships. We need a government that thinks we're not going to go it alone. I think he has the experience to lead us in a new direction."

Sam Yoon
City Councillor at-Large

"What I like best about him is he is changing the way we do politics and think about politics. The way that politics has become so divisive at the national level over the last eight years is not healthy. Even if he doesn't get the nomination it will have been worth investing in, because he's definitely pointing out where the country ought to be in terms of political leadership."

Yoon is a resident of Dorchester.

Michael Flaherty
City Councillor, at-Large

"Him knowing what cities across America need. Look at some of the things that trouble our city, gun and gang violence, the achievement gap, the dropout rate. He gets it. Curbing violence, improving schools, these are the tools were going to need in Boston. He dares to challenge the status quo, reaching across economic and cultural boundaries to create change in America."

First met Obama during the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Sen. Hillary Clinton

Thomas Menino
Mayor

"Her grasp of the major issues is better than most candidates out there and she'll bring that energy of being the first woman to be elected president. I've heard her in situations with the U.S. Conference of Mayors when they asked her questions and she was able to answer these questions with depth, and that's what I'm looking for. Housing, security, safety, she has depth."

Martin Walsh
State Representative, 13th Suffolk

"When it comes to gangs and guns and violence, I think she is more attuned to that. When Bill Clinton was President, he put 1,000 cops on the streets. That funnels down to Dorchester. Barack Obama&emdash;if I was his adviser I would have advised him to do a couple more terms in the U.S. Senate. I think he has a little more seasoning to do."

Maureen Feeney
City Council President, District 3

"I just feel we need someone with experience. Her understanding of the international landscape is critical at a time like this. Also, it is exciting to think we have a woman candidate running for President. Community policing began in District C-11 and it was a lot of Clinton money that really infused that program. We're nationally recognized for that."

John Connolly
City Councillor, at-Large

"I'll be helping her in the Massachusetts primary. It was some strong Hillary supporters in the city that came to me right after the council election and persuaded me. She's got a real toughness that we need, also a real intelligence."

John Edwards

Stephen Murphy
City Councillor, at-Large

"I met him in 2004 campaigning in New Hampshire. I like him, personally like him, and I actually believe he is the one Democrat candidate that can win. We've had too many years of Republican rule with big money and big oil. I think Edwards can be accepted in the South, I don't think either of the other two can."

Sen. Joe Biden

Brian Wallace
State Representative, 4th Suffolk

"He's a basketball junkie like myself and I think the world of him. I just wish the media would give him a break. He's been everywhere in this world. Just being the chair of the [Senate Foreign Relations] Committee gives him a leg up on the other candidates. The word "experience" is the one that keeps ringing out to me."

Was introduced to Biden by the late state Rep. Kevin Fitzgerald.

Undecided

Dianne Wilkerson
State Senator, 2nd Suffolk

"I do not have a candidate officially, yet I am leaning towards Barack Obama. I am convinced that the status quo and staying the course is not working for America. It all comes down to vision- the word that is used to describe him. I am equally convinced that the other candidates up there, that that's what they represent, the status quo."

Marie St. Fleur
State Representative, 5th Suffolk

"I'm still keeping my options open, there are three candidates I am looking at, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Barack Obama, in that order. I have not made any distinctive decisions about them and will continue to watch."

Chuck Turner
City Councillor, District 7

"I'm a member of the Green Party so it's either going to be Cynthia McKinney [former Congresswoman (D-GA)] or Elaine Brown [former Black Panther Party member]. The dilemma with the democratic candidates is I hear no discussion about a significant decrease in the military budget, or about changing the tax breaks given to the top one percent in this country during the Bush administration. Without a change in those there isn't a significant need to change my [support]."

Charles Yancey
City Councillor, District 4

"I haven't officially endorsed anyone at this point. I am very impressed with the Obama campaign but I haven't made my decision yet. I expect to do so within three weeks, before the New Hampshire primary. All the present candidates are head and shoulders above the incumbent, I'll tell you that much."

Graduated with Bill Richardson, Tufts University, 1970.

The Reporter attempted to reach State Senator Jack Hart and State Rep. Willie Mae Allen for comment for this article, but neither official returned calls about this issue by press time.