On the periphery of the main event were the usual fringe features. Tables of souvenirs: donkey ties, Clinton buttons, "Kiss Me, I'm a Democrat." There were special interest booths promoting platform accountability and individual pols. There were Lyndon LaRouche representatives.

But the biggest side issue at last week's state Democratic Party's "Issues" Convention was the new front that had opened for embattled University of Massachusetts President William Bulger, also the former president of the state Senate.  Read more