Most notably, Bachrach does not support the"three strikes and you're out" proposal, whichwould sentence violent criminals to life in prisonafter their third offense. The plan is supportedby Weld, Barrett and Roosevelt, as well as bypresident Clinton.

"`Three strikes you're out' is a terrificbumper sticker but terrible public policy,"Bachrach says.

He says the proposal is not tough enough onfirst or second time offenders.

"The plan means that it takes three muggings orthree rapes before you get serious," Bachrachsays. "It screams out for a plan to reduceviolence."

Bachrach says he prefers a "two strikes andyou're out" plan, but he adds he would not createmandatory life sentencing.

Massachusetts is wasting money paying forcriminals too old to commit crimes, Bachrach says.

"We are paying $50,000 a year to housetoothless prisoners," he says.

Bachrach says it is more important to focus onways of deterring crime. He supports increasingdrug and alcohol abuse programs and expandingfunding for the Department of Youth Services.

And, unlike Roosevelt and Weld, Bachrach doesnot support the reinstitution of the death penaltyin Massachusetts, where capital punishment has notbeen used since 1947.

"Death penalty has nothing to do with thesystem of justice," Bachrach says. "The governmentcan't decide what potholes to fix, much less whoto execute."

He adds, "The death penalty is not a deterrent,but an act of vengeance."

Different Views on Education

Education reform is the banner issue forBachrach's opponents. Both Barrett and Roosevelthave been instrumental in passing legislation toensure the quality of Boston schools.

But again, Bachrach's views differ sharply fromthose of his contenders.

Though Bachrach says he is committed toimproving schools, he does not see increasedfunding as the solution to what ails the state'spublic education system.