Free Republic

A former Chelsea High honors student who came from Guatemala at age 12 is pleading to stay in the United States as federal authorities try to deport him and a Bay State congressman and local officials rally at his side. “I have so many dreams, and this is the country where I want them to come true,” said Mario Rodas, 19. “I feel really upset. They could send me to a country away from my family and friends. It’s devastating.” The case has put the thin, bookish young man with a passion for politics in the middle of a fierce...

BOSTON - The field of potential Democratic candidates for the 2006 governor's race is already shrinking. U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano [related, bio] said Friday he's decided not to pursue the party's nomination for the corner office, saying he wants to focus on working in Washington on issues like Social Security, affordable housing and lobbying for transportation dollars for Massachusetts. ``After much personal deliberation with my family and those closest to me, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for governor,'' Capuano said in a statement. ``As much as I am attracted to the campaign and the possibility...