I can't help watching Toronto's Mayoralty contest. Were it a work of fiction, the characters and plot would simply not be credible. The real political backdrop is also compelling but never referenced by the media.
Old stuff can be easily dismissed with a disdainful sniff.
To-night in the news ,in the Nanos poll, Old Toronto's support for John Tory is overwhelming. Which should surpise no-one.
As I listened I wondered about the depth of political acumen reflected ink the poll.
The new City of Toronto is an amalgam. It is not an amorphous blob.
When John Tory speaks of being the man to bring Council together,it's hard to imagine he is not
aware how difficult that will be and wonder if he has the skills or the connections to make that happen.
In the last election ,Rob Ford of Etobicoke was elected Mayor, Doug Holyday,former Mayor of Etobicoke as Deputy Mayor, and Doug Ford brother of Rob re-elected as Councillor.
There was no coincidence.
Old Toronto got it's comeuppance from the Boroughs wisped out with boundaries but not in spirit.
It was a long time coming.
Former boroughs rallied in support of their own. The Mayor is elected at large. I assume the Deputy Mayor is as well.
In this election, Rob Ford although a candidate for the office of Mayor, has been virtually conspicuous in his absence.
The shocking news of his health crisis has compelled a change in media tone.
Doug Ford devastated by the tragic news of his brother's health is a last minute candidate for the office of Mayor understandably with a halting campaign start.
Despite all that's happened that shouldn't and not happened that should, despite John Tory literally
being the only one in the race since January. Torontonians are less than captivated.
The Ford's traditioanal support will sustain him. If the tide breaks, it will carry him forward in an almighty surge.
Loyalty will prevail. Who can disrespect a brother's love? There is no subtlety in the Ford's. They are large as life and twice as real.
Olivia Chow's vote will hold fast. She is, as she says, small but mighty and an Aliant champion but the city does not lean left.
The race is between Ford and Tory.
Tory is not a dark horse. As he has stated, he has been involved in the city's affairs for many years.
He failed once against Rob Ford to win the Mayoralty. He was a definite choice.
He won the leadership of Provincial Conservatives but lost a safe seat vacated for his benefit.
He is twice loser with significant resources behind him.
Whatever it takes and I won't try to put my finger on it, I don't think John Tory has it.
We shall see.
Tuesday 23 September 2014
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15 comments:
Do we really need a lecture on Toronto's mayoralty mess?
Olivia Chow is pretty well toast. Her main platform plank was attacking the present mayor, and now with him gone, and but a pale shadow of a brother in his place, Olivia is completely at sea.
Tory has never been a favourite of mine but the polls make him an easy winner.
Who in their right mind would want to be mayor of Toronto.
We can only imagine how we might vote in that election. Not how the majority would decide. I would have to vote for Olivia but expect it would make little difference.
It will be interesting to see how some of the TO councillors do based on whether or not they acted like nut-bars over the past term. Whoever becomes mayor might have to deal with a fairly new deck.
Your bang on again Evelyn. He doesn't have it, and never will.
It's like watching one of those test-drive dummy videos.
It is the first day of the fall and a lovely one. Enjoy the great weather.
I am reminded of a comment John Tory made when running for the Conservatives. He said he learned while CEO at Rogers that you must look for efficiencies every day if you are to stay competitive. Just think if he had been at the wheel instead of Duke.
I hope he can bring this to the city.
When I see a mayor make time for and admire an uneducated thug like Mike Tyson I question his ability to lead the city.
Sorry, 9:44
Mr Tory has not said how he will pay for his transit plans. Just that they won't cost tax-payers much ! Ms Chow has shown where the money might be raised. And I can understand why she might want to be mayor. Mr Tory, not so much.
I suppose there is no way to limit electioneering during the last council of term. But one has to question the selection of tonight's delegations that allow show-boating of a few. It does look like a long night.
“Duke” found the efficiencies, although it was an easy task coming out of the Miller era. I’m a conservative, but wouldn't have voted for him. With all his political experience, CEO positions, lawyer and lobbyist positions, the guy just doesn't have it. There’s more to being a leader than experience and education. It certainly helps….but if you don’t have that “it” factor or that connection with the electorate…forget it.
Doug Ford smoked them! Way to go Doug!
I must apologize, Cllr Buck. I have been trying to follow your meeting but hit upon Cllr Humfryes voting against demolishing the Tannery because her husband liked it when he was a kid. That boggles my mind. If he was a little tyke in Aurora, did he not smell the place and know what happened there ? Does she not understand what lurked beneath ?
Think that is it for me.
I am confused. Is the tennis bubble back before council ? I thought Cllr Gallo deemed it to be " unsightly " and wanted a fixed building that the town would have to build.
The Chow campaign have re-named Mr Tory's plan the " Not-Smart Transit "
The Auroran is coming up
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