Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto UPDATES

Michael Hardner · November 6, 2013

Weed and crack are very different.

How do you know ?

Michael Hardner · November 6, 2013

Not if only Chow runs for the Left.

Remember those who say they'll run from the start won't necessarily finish. Rocco Rossi and Giorgio Mammoliti were both a centre-right candidate last election but bowed out when it appeared they had no shot. Joey Pants the far left candidate stayed until the bitter end and that ate into Smitherman's support.

Right. So substitute Chow for Joey Pants, and put Tory/Stintz where Smitherman was in the middle, and you have a classic NFL replay going on...

Black Dog · November 6, 2013

Right. So substitute Chow for Joey Pants, and put Tory/Stintz where Smitherman was in the middle, and you have a classic NFL replay going on...

IMO a lot of people voted Ford as a protest against the previous administration. He doesn't have that luxury now and that's without the crack/booze business hanging over his head. Lots of 2010 Ford voters would switch to a baggage-free fiscally conservative alternative, leaving just the die-hards for Robbie.

Boges · November 6, 2013

As long as John Tory doesn't decide to expand the TDSB to Faith-based schools he's a shoe-in. I just don't believe he wants the drama.

Topaz · November 6, 2013

I don't believe Doug didn't know just like I don't believe he has nothing left to hide. He still hasn't explained what was in the packages that were dropped by Lisi in his car.

He's pretty good at lying and appearing contrite. The bright red face helps, I suppose. But he still is incapable of saying anything true.

Doug didn't know because Doug is running for the Hudak gang next election, right, one can't look corrupt. His wife must have known and in turn she would turn to his family if she was worried about him.

Michael Hardner · November 6, 2013

Ok - you mean the 4:20 ( ) press conference ? Sure, but again - we're saying the same thing. They had no coherent plan when the sun came up on Tuesday.

And here's the answer:

Councillor Ford says he just wishes his brother would have told him.

“I did call him three times in the morning and I didn’t get him. He didn’t know what I was doing with the complaints so I guess it’s partly me as well,” he said. “I wish we would have communicated.”

Councillor Ford said he would have still raised the questions about why the chief talked publicly about his “disappointment” over the video and how it is a chief can be so close to board member Pringle, who was a chief of staff for John Tory who is mulling over a possible run for mayor next year.

“But maybe not that day.”

In light of his brother’s admission, Councillor Ford said he will still proceed with his complaint.

“I still think it was wrong,” he said.

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/06/i-didnt-see-it-coming-doug-ford-tells-sun-about-rob-fords-crack-use

So, Doug Ford came up with the idea on his own to call for the Chief to resign... :blink: and Rob didn't check with him but just decided to fess up...

There's something divinely beautiful in the idea that these two utter clowns can't be bested by PR teams... it's like Inspector Clouseau beating master criminals by mistake over and over again.

Boges · November 6, 2013

Doug didn't know because Doug is running for the Hudak gang next election, right, one can't look corrupt. His wife must have known and in turn she would turn to his family if she was worried about him.

I think after all this, that might not be happening. He's still not the parties nominee in the riding he was going to run in.

bleeding heart · November 6, 2013

There's something divinely beautiful in the idea that these two utter clowns can't be bested by PR teams... it's like Inspector Clouseau beating master criminals by mistake over and over again.

Nice.

I suppose Ford's admirers appreciate the lack of PR (in the usual sense), and like the idea of leaders "being themselves" even when the warts start to fester and bleed.

I might have some appreciation for this myself, if I didn't find the subjects so silly and repellent. That is, if the personalities were better, this might be more appealing.

Bill Cosby said that an acquaintance of his, extolling the virtues of cocaine, claimed that it "enhances your personality." To which Cosby replied, "Yeah, but what if you're an a**hole?"

The Fords' personalities, enhanced publically via avoiding professional spin doctors, might themselves be the issue.

Besides, trying to perform one's own PR, without benefit of conventional PR skills, might seem to evoke honesty...but in truth, one does not necessarily follow the other.

Edited November 6, 2013 by bleeding heart

Michael Hardner · November 6, 2013

I have a sense that some people have such good PR teams that it's invisible. But... this is just too random... it's like the difference between scripted comedy and improv - you can tell.

This discussion may have made me understand them a bit more. They are what they are, and how bad is it to their supporters really ?

Still, I"m assuming here that they will still be solid after this week, in terms of poll numbers. They will have lost some key supporters such as Talk 640 and several counsellors.

bleeding heart · November 6, 2013

This discussion may have made me understand them a bit more. They are what they are, and how bad is it to their supporters really ?

Probably not so bad, and I think it raises an interesting point about democracy, specifically about how and why people adhere to popular leaders, sometimes quite literally No Matter What. And it appears to be a thoroughly multipartisan phenomenon.

BubberMiley · November 6, 2013

And it appears to be a thoroughly multipartisan phenomenon.

By referring to it as a multiparty phenomenon, are you thinking of Anthony Weiner's resounding victory yesterday?

bleeding heart · November 7, 2013

By referring to it as a multiparty phenomenon, are you thinking of Anthony Weiner's resounding victory yesterday?

I'm thinking that Obama's supporters despised Bush for some of the very same things for which they praise Obama--not least his militarism. I'm thinking of the preposterous hagiographic views of Mssrs Kennedy and Reagan. Of Pearson and Trudeau and Thatcher.

I think fundamentally it comes to an adoration of power itself. Whether by natural inclination, cultural indoctrination, or both, people WANT to adore a Powerful Leader. So when they do....they're loathe to let the admiration go.

BubberMiley · November 7, 2013

I never saw the video of the famous Danforth incident before. I like the "Do you want some blow? I'll give you some blow. I have some...seriously." line.
You would have to be pretty naive to have denied the existence of the crack video when this one was readily available. I'm surprised his enablers were so exuberant to defend him then and yet are mortified to come out of the shadows now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnb3M8whfL4

waldo · November 7, 2013

I never saw the video of the famous Danforth incident before. I like the "Do you want some blow? I'll give you some blow. I have some...seriously." line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnb3M8whfL4

c'mon BM, cut the guy some slack... he clearly led with a passionate emphasis to point out he wasn't driving!

this is my all time fav:

BubberMiley · November 7, 2013

this is my all time fav:

Wow. I think I have an idea why the guy might have said that.

Boges · November 7, 2013

This is the video people are getting worked up over now.

http://v.thestar.com/services/player/bcpid2071349530001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAuO4KaJE~,gatFNwSKdGDmDpIYqNJ-fTHn_c4z_LH_&bctid=2816198523001

Looks like a drunk guy talking about a fight. OR is he really planning on killing someone. :rolleyes:

I do think the relentless focus on every little thing this guy does will slowly move people back over to his court.

g_bambino · November 7, 2013

Looks like a drunk guy talking about a fight.

Or a guy hopped up on coke talking about a fight.

I do think the relentless focus on every little thing this guy does will slowly move people back over to his court.

Or increase the desire to have him just go away.

BubberMiley · November 7, 2013

I do think the relentless focus on every little thing this guy does will slowly move people back over to his court.

You never left.

Boges · November 7, 2013

You never left.

Well my opinion is irrelevant. I'm not from Toronto. I do think he's behaviour of late is unacceptable. I've said as much.

It's clear that Ford seems to be good at causing damage to himself, he doesn't need help.

GostHacked · November 7, 2013

How do you know ?

You don't know crack and weed are very different?

You cannot OD on weed for one.

It's habit forming, and semi addictive.

You can smoke weed in it's natural form.

Crack makes you crazy, weed does not.

Boges · November 7, 2013

Poll says Ford can win if he steps aside and get some help.

http://globalnews.ca/news/951837/rob-ford-wins-2014-mayoral-race-if-he-goes-to-rehab-poll/

One day after the mayor admitted he smoked crack cocaine a year ago while in a “drunken stupor,” 65 per cent of Toronto voters said Ford should take a leave of absence and deal with substance abuse problems, according to the Forum Research poll.

Taking time off from the mayor’s office and dealing with personal issues improves Ford’s electoral chances if he emerges clean and sober.

In a race between the two declared mayoral candidates, Ford would narrowly defeat Karen Stintz by a vote of 38 per cent to 36 per cent, while former budget chief David Soknacki would take one-tenth of the ballots, according to the poll results.

BubberMiley · November 7, 2013

I would be very sad to see him go. I've never found Canadian politics so entertaining.

Of course, it's not my tax dollars being entrusted to a crackhead. My conservative mayor just puts his friends on the city payroll or gives them outrageous untendered contracts and the city's surplus land.

Edited November 7, 2013 by BubberMiley

Mighty AC · November 7, 2013

Poll says Ford can win if he steps aside and get some help.

Why would the conservative camp fund him now though? I don't understand why Rob would continue as mayor and further embarrass his family and the city. What a sick and selfish man.

Black Dog · November 7, 2013

Poll says Ford can win (a slim two point victory over one of the only two other candidates to declare and not any of the major name candidates being talked about)if he steps aside and get some help.

http://globalnews.ca/news/951837/rob-ford-wins-2014-mayoral-race-if-he-goes-to-rehab-poll/

Fixed that for you.