Every election since 1932 - which means for the past 67 years - Max Silverstein has voted Democratic.

And now here he is, sitting in the front row of what is supposed to be a joint appearance of the two candidates for mayor, and he's actually thinking about voting Republican.

For the first time in his life.

"My father would turn over in his grave," says Max, a little sheepishly.

Max, professor emeritus of social work at Penn, lives at the Hopkinson House. That's one of the high-rises on Washington Square, and it's where Democrat John Street and Republican Sam Katz came to talk to residents last night.

Max is 88 and doesn't move quite as fast as he used to, but his mind is razor sharp, and he has the kind of engaging manner that just makes you want to sit and talk to him for a while. It's like when you go over to a girl's house, and meet her grandfather, and pretty soon you realize you're more interested in the grandfather than the girl.

Anyway, if you believe the media, it's people like Max - not grandfathers, necessarily, but white, liberal Democrats - who could make the difference of who wins the election.

Max doesn't quite believe that himself. But he admits he is undecided.

Max had seen both Street and Katz speak before last night, but he decided to come to the building's community room with about 100 other residents, and listen to the two candidates again.

Maybe they would say something that would help him make up his mind, he thought.

No such luck.

Street showed up late, so the two candidates ended up making separate appearances.

But when it was all over, Max still wasn't any closer to a decision.

How was that possible? He had sat there for almost two hours.

"The thing turns on whether either of the two guys can be trusted to do what he says he'll do," explains Max.

And that's not something you'll get out of a campaign appearance.

Max says that when it comes to leadership, "Katz has it all over Street." For instance, he says, Katz has an engaging style that can help build a consensus.

On the other hand, "I really think Katz doesn't know as much as this guy," says Max, referring to Street. "About politics, about government, about the issues."

So how's he going to decide?

Max says that at the last second, if he still hasn't made up his mind, he'll vote Democratic, as he always has. And if you're 88, sometimes you can't wait too long.

"I'll walk into a voting booth, and if I piss in my pants, I'll vote for Street."