We all had a consensus on who was going to be mayor. But for the Place 2 vacancy, I believe it could have been filled simultaneously and with less animosity.

The only pledge I'd believe is, if either one or both of them said, 'I'm going to be mayor in 2007 and, if the MTA has a deficit, I'll fill it with city money,'

I don't believe the mayor would be that kind of an ingrate or a hypocrite.

If you look at the polls, you'd have to say, the mayor is likely to win. I don't believe in polls, but a lot of Democrats are saying, 'It's over.' I know Freddy is not saying that, and I'm not saying that. You just have to hold out hope.

We had a larger pool of candidates that all were qualified uniquely in their own way. It was a very respectful public process. The fact that Mr. Ramirez got six votes was good but what really drove the point home is that nobody else got more than three. It made it clear that the council was all together on this.

I think we are all surprised at how easily this worked out. I feel very confident in nominating Mario Ramirez to unfinished term Place 2 among the city council.