University of Massachusetts at Lowell Chancellor Martin Meehan has been asked the question - "Who are you supporting for president in the Democratic primary?" - so many times he might as well hand out his answer on a cue card.
"You know, I get asked that question quite a lot," the former Massachusetts congressman said with a slight smile during a recent interview in Boston. "And I usually say university officials shouldn't get involved in partisan politics."
In other words: "No comment."
But ask a question about the presidential race to Meehan the political scientist, and you'll get a different response. That's because after 15 years in Congress, the Lowell native says he is ready to share his knowledge about Washington politics with students.
By next year, he said, he expects to be back in the classroom teaching a course on political science. He taught a class as an adjunct professor at UMass-Lowell when he was in Congress.
"I think it's important that I do that," said Meehan, a UMass-Lowell alumnus. "But first, I need to put [an administrative] team together."
The new job - and its multiple duties - means that the polit ical animal within will have to take a backseat, said Meehan. At least for now.
As chancellor, Meehan said, he is more worried about building new residence halls than whether a new campaign finance reform bill is making its way through a congressional subcommittee.
As for the presidential race, he offers that the data from the state primaries and caucuses show that the Democrats are headed for a win this year.
"For example, if you look at Alabama, the Democrats had 100,000 more people participate than the Republicans. That's unprecedented," said Meehan. "It will be a difficult year for a Republican to win."
But who will the Republican nominee, likely Arizona Senator John McCain face? New York Senator Hillary Clinton or Illinois Senator Barack Obama?
"I wouldn't venture to guess," Meehan said, flashing the old political self. "But I think it's going down to the wire."
Scour the blogs around Lowell and you will find that most people don't believe Meehan's political career is over just yet.
Some think he would be the first to throw his hat in if one of the two Massachusetts US Senate seats - occupied by Edward Kennedy and John Kerry - opened up, or, maybe, a Cabinet job is offered.
The prospect of losing Meehan sooner rather than later does not bother UMass President Jack Wilson, who says Meehan will always have people looking for his services.
"Good, qualified people always have other career options," said Wilson. "What's the solution? Hire bad people?"
For his part, Meehan said he is dedicated to fulfilling his three-year contract as chancellor, and is open to staying longer. Still, he's not closing any doors.
"I can't say with absolute certainty what I will be doing in 10 or 15 years," he said.
"Certainly running for office is the furthest thing from my mind right now."
He paused, then added: "But I am 51 years old."
Russell Contreras can be reached at rcontreras@globe.com.
