All the Democrats said they would support a bill in the House of Representatives that call for a bilateral, comprehensive, and verifiable nuclear freeze. The bill is co-sponsored by Bay State Reps. Nicholas Mavroules (D-Peabody) and Edward J. Markey (D-Malden).

Several of the Democrats joked about the chances a Republican candidate would have Republican officials have called the Eighth District one of the most solidly Democratic in the state and have

publicly conceded the seat to the Democrats.

Jabs were also exchanged between Democrats Bachrach responded to a comment by Roosevelt grandson of former president Franklin D. Roosevelt '04, that his first lesson in peace was at the knee of his grandmother, former first lads and Human Rights activists Eleanor Roosevelt.

Bachrach, whose grandmother, 93-year-old forum was 23-year-old Nellie Stern, was a survivor of Auschwitz, said, "I learned something from my grandmother too."

One prominent face not at yesterday's forum was 23-year-old Edward M. Kennedy Jr., son of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy '54 (D-Mass) whose anticipated entrance into the race is expected to make him an instant front runner.

Cambridge City Councilor and State Rep. Saundra Graham was scheduled to appear, but sent word that late-night debate at the State House prevented her from attending