Asked about political participation on campus, Bradley responded that he is energized by what he sees when he visits colleges, although he said he feels there is work to be done.

"Why is it that voluntarism on college campuses has never been higher, but political participation has never been lower?" he asked rhetorically.

Answering his own question, he said that young people unfortunately are taught that politics is more about winning than about public service.

On the issue of public housing, Bradley avoided answering a question by Cambridge City Council candidate Kevin M. Williamson about supporting a "massive spending increase" for federal low-income housing programs.

But Bradley did say he would support spending more for a low income tax credit and said he advocates "multiple use housing" that would allow families of different income levels to live together in the same buildings.

Although Bradley's speeches were generally well received by the audience, he did commit one small gaffe.

Responding to a question about federally-funded education for the children of illegal immigrants, Bradley misnamed California's Proposition 187, calling it "Proposition 189."

That ballot measure, which was approved by the voters and later held up in the courts, aimed to deny education and other benefits to children of undocumented aliens. Bradley said he opposes such measures.