Mr. Bulger, who had often been described as the boss of the Massachusetts State Senate, addresses the title question: "I think the answer is no; but a leader, yes." This genial and substantive discussion ranges from the difficulties of being a Democrat to the unconscionability of the Boston busing decision of 1974, which "was unjust because it only came in upon the children of the poor, and it was unnecessary because it came in upon the people who were living the most integrated lives, the people who lived within the borders of the city of Boston." ... WFB: "You have a hard affiliation with a political party that has given you the most trouble in respect of a concrete situation." WMB: "That's true. And the Democratic Party, I would say, 'Shame on it for its

behavior.'... Are you looking for an apostate here today?" WFB: "I'm looking for hope." WB: "So am I. So am I."