The ultimate goal of this year's candidates maywell be to fulfill the duties of the vicepresidency. But, according to some councilmembers, they are also jockeying for a shot at thepresidency.
"A lot of people running for the vicepresidency this year have their eyes on thepresidency," says one council member. "And for anyof them, there's zero incentive to challengeCarey."
Mann, who has witnessed more than half-a-dozencouncil elections, also suspects that thecandidates have higher ambitions.
"Each of the people running pretty much agreeswith the direction Carey's taken," Mann says. "Butthey all also probably feel he's not beatable, sothey don't want to expend political capital."
"They're all sophomores and juniors, so they'reall setting themselves up for next year," Mannadds.
Liston, as well as the other vice presidentialcandidates, says the merits of the office andtheir respect for Gabay ruled out any bids for thepresidency.
As the vice-presidential contender put it: "ifCarey wasn't running, you'd see a number ofpeople jockeying for position."