After much speculation, Rob Ford is now in contention to have the craziest mayoral campaign. Sure bands may have cancelled their appearance at Giorgio Mammoliti’s concert, Sarah Thomson may have forgotten how she fared in a past election and Adam Giambrone may have had that indiscretion, but the candidates will have to step it up now that Ford is in the race.
The Etobicoke North councillor made the announcement on AM 640 this morning, promising to cut the number of city councillors in half over the next four years in order to “save millions.”
The self-proclaimed fiscal conservative and social liberal famously said in June 2006, “It is very preventable. If you are not doing needles and you are not gay, you won’t get AIDS probably—that’s the bottom line,” and in 2008 said, “Those Oriental people work like dogs… They sleep beside their machines… The Oriental people, they’re slowly taking over… They’re hard, hard workers.” And to top things off, weeks after that happened, he was arrested and charged with assault and threatening death.
Another Ford gem: “I can’t support bike lanes. Roads are built for buses, cars and trucks. My heart bleeds when someone gets killed, but it’s their own fault at the end of the day.”
Sure, we all know Ford’s never going to win, but at least we’ll end up with more notable quotables.
• Ford kicks off mayoral campaign with pledge to cut city council [Globe and Mail]
• Rob Ford jumps into Toronto’s race for mayor [National Post]
• Rob Ford Arrested For Assault And Threatening Death [City News]
• Rob Ford Refuses To Publicly Apologize Over Asian Comments [City News]
You say that Rob Ford will never win, but the question is, is that what you want? You’d rather have Mr. E-health Millions Smitherman win and take hold of Toronto? Be careful.
March 25, 2010 at 2:11 pm | by JoseIn another post a couple of days ago, Toronto Life quoted Rossi in the Star: “I don’t see myself as right or left. I see myself as pragmatic. Fiscally conservative and socially liberal,” Rossi told the Star.
Above: [Ford is a] self-proclaimed fiscal conservative and social liberal.
They both suck. Who’s going to proudly proclaim themselves as socially conservative and fiscally liberal? That’s the guy who’ll get my vote.
March 25, 2010 at 3:13 pm | by PatrickI hope you’re hungry because you may have to eat those words that he’s never going to win! I hope the far too silent majority will finally get out & vote now that we have someone who is truly “for the people”. Go Rob!!
March 25, 2010 at 3:56 pm | by CathyIf you’ll excuse the American comparison, I see Rob Ford as kind of a Ron Paul candidate in that a lot of people like his ideas because they are different and fresh, but when it comes to actually voting, most of those people will for whatever reason get cold feet and vote for someone more moderate.
As for the “Oriental” comment, I am Chinese. I know its offensive, but I don’t know why. Ford wasn’t trying to be offensive (actually sounds like he is complementary) and I am somewhat embarrassed that David Miller asked for him to apologize. What does David Miller know that I don’t?
March 25, 2010 at 4:42 pm | by LincolnRob Ford Says what he’ll do and does what he says. I think to not vote for Ford would be a terrible mistake. and if we vote in those other wastes then Toronto will get exactly what it deserves
March 25, 2010 at 7:41 pm | by JasonI hope he wins – he is realistic and so what that he shouts what he thinks we need someone with some chutzpah in this City and even more so to go against our terrible Premier! Let’s see his platform before you remark that he won’t win. As for the other candidates they come from the same old ways which means no change and we need change did the olympic flair of what it means to be Canadian already disappear? I have been living in this city all my life and have seen many move up north due to the high costs and inefficent systems that are in place – I don’t want to be one of these people. Toronto could be an amazing city once again with the right representation and I think Mr. Ford is just what we need to get there again.
March 26, 2010 at 12:19 am | by SherriI hope Ford does win. He’s got my vote and probably more votes than the writer of this article anticipates.
March 26, 2010 at 11:50 am | by JanetI vote for Ford. He has proven to be the one who is for the people of Toronto. In my opinion, he is far better than any other candidates.
March 26, 2010 at 1:12 pm | by ChanIt’s about time that someone like Rob Ford is stepping up to the plate and running for Mayor. As hard working tax people should know Mr. Ford has always been there on their side but unfortunately Mr.Ford has never had the authority to have the final say at the end of the day. I truly hope that people will make the right decision and vote Mr. Ford in as Mayor. I wish you the best Rob Ford because you are the man that will make the city move in the right direction.
March 27, 2010 at 12:07 am | by Carlos Da SilvaI’d move back to Toronto to vote for Ford, but what’s needed is for a more concerted anti-socialist coalition of candidates. The radical left needs to be driven back to its downtown corner. People like Karon Liu have no clue.
March 27, 2010 at 11:14 pm | by JRFunny how knee-jerk lefties like Liu never give Ford credit for not spending the taxpayers money, while her socialist friends ring up her tax dollars. Talk about stupid.
March 27, 2010 at 11:15 pm | by JRNever win? Typical Toronto Life effete “analysis” of the Toronto mayoral race. I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of people from whom I have heard positive comments regarding Rob Ford. Reagan could never win in 1980; Harris could never win in 1995 and again in 1999. Moreover, Karon Liu is obviously biased against Ford because of his comments about “Orientals” or “Asians” but frankly he was expressing a view widely held, whether people have the character to be truthful about it or not. We all have biases, both for and against individuals and groups, and we would do well to acknowledge this reality and stop playing childish gotcha games. I will be both donating both my money and time to Rob Ford’s campaign despite the fact that I have never previously been motivated to do either. As far as election night results are concerned, Smitherman should not count his proverbial chickens yet.
March 31, 2010 at 1:59 am | by MillersucksWhat a shallow article written by what must be a hollow author. Ford has my vote. Time for the residents of Toronto to take back our city and hard earned money from unproductive leftist leeches with an insatiable appetite to spend other peoples money.
March 31, 2010 at 9:27 am | by OogaI sort of want Ford to win, just for entertainment value. It will be funny in the same way the nuke-riding cowboy scene in Dr. Strangelove makes me laugh.
April 5, 2010 at 10:56 am | by Patrick CFord is not a plausible or desirable candidate for mayor for very simple reasons: he kneejerks the same as Miller, just in the opposite direction, and he has come out swinging on positions he didn’t appear to think through first. Neither of these traits will serve Toronto well. This city needs a moderate, even keel mayor with vision beyond populist bumper sticker sentiment, not Ford’s rightie bombast. Those praising him here are either oblivious to, or excuse, his failings.
April 7, 2010 at 1:33 am | by HJK