"The exciting thing about winning is proving all my critics wrong about the labor stuff," Mayor-elect Marty Walsh said.
Everybody knew about Marty Walsh and unions, but the new mayor-elect is still fairly unknown:
"For people who don't know you," Hiller asked, "which three words best describe you?"
Walsh: "Loyal, honest, hardworking…that's four words, but…"
For Walsh, politics is personal, very personal:
Hiller: "You've talked about being a recovering alcoholic.
Walsh: "Yeah."
Hiller: "How has being a recovering alcoholic, how will that make you a better mayor?"
Walsh: "It's been part of making me a great- good candidate, I should say, you know, just being able to contemplate and not pre-judge people and offer second chances. And really listen to people."
Hiller: "Do you ever still get tempted to drink?"
Walsh: "Never."
Hiller: "Is that the way it usually is? A person stops and they can't…"
Walsh: "Yeah, my life is too good today, my life is incredible and I work the program, so, I'm not going to drink."
And, to Walsh, being mayor will be no laughing matter:
Hiller: "What's your favorite joke?"
Walsh: "Oh, God. I don't really have one. Favorite joke?"
Hiller: "Tell at speeches?"
Walsh: "Oh, I'm not a good joke teller."
But Walsh hints he'll be very good at something more important than telling jokes: getting more money for Boston from the State House.
Hiller: "I saw the picture of the Speaker hugging you. Does that mean we can expect- Boston can expect more from Beacon Hill than we've gotten in the past?"
Walsh: "I hope so, I hope so."
Hiller: "You're going to tell them that?"
Walsh: "And the Senate president endorsed me as well, so… I hope it does."
Hiller: "Good luck."
Walsh: "Thank you."
The new mayor knows he's built up great expectations throughout Boston.
When I asked him if he's at all concerned he won't be able to meet them, he said, "no," and then added, "not right now."