Beyond appealing to popular issues, many of the candidates attempted to show they were in touch with the audience by discussing their own modest upbringings.

Clapprood spoke of an alcoholic father and growing up on welfare, and Tracey pointed out her working class background.

Charles Yancey, a Boston City Council member, emphasized that he has lived in Codman Square for 25 years.

The candidates, by uniformly skirting controversies, found themselves attempting to distinguish themselves by the end of the discussion.

Capuano said that since the politicians were generally on the "same page" on major issues, voters must try to discern which candidate will truly fight for them.

Rodriguez urged voters not to overestimate the similarities.

"While we might be very similar, we're not identical," Rodriguez said. "You have a responsibility to find the differences."

In his closing statement, Bachrach, drew some sharp distinctions between himself and other candidates. He said, for example, that he opposes charter schoolswhereas Gabrieli supports them.

Some voters were unhappy with candidates'attempts to distinguish themselves.

"I couldn't help but think...they're all socoached at this...they all know what we want tohear," said Caroline M. Scherr, a Cambridgeresident. "That's why they sounded so similar.