Toronto Cannot Afford Rob Ford As Mayor

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by betenoire

I don't live in Toronto any more, so I get that I have no say. But I'd really love it if those of you who DO live in Toronto or have friends in Toronto would spread the word.

This guy is everything that Toronto isn't. Why WHY WHY would he want to be Mayor? He hates immigrants, he hates public transit, he hates the homeless, he hates social spending, he hates the Queer community.

http://www.torontocannotafford.com/

I've been trying to figure this out since he's taken a significant lead in the polls. I don't understand how a city with an immigrant majority supports a guy who has spoken out against immigration and immigrants.

There's been a hell of a lot of controversy in the paper over these elections, particularly over Ford's record. Part of the problem is that the two primary candidates, Ford and Smitherman, both have histories of substance abuse (among other things for Ford) and neither are the most likeable candidates in the world. However, Smitherman is still a billion times better than Ford, so I'll be voting for him solely so that Ford doesn't get into office.

Smitherman was leading the polls significantly in the spring and early summer, but recently support for Ford seems to have exploaded, and I don't know why. In a way I think the media hype over Ford's criminal past (susbtance abuse, DUIs, threatening his wife etc.), as well as his outrageous policies has brought up his popularity in the polls, to the point where it has overshadowed Smitherman's campaign. I sometimes wonder how the hell they conduct these polls though, seems like no one I've spoken to actually likes Ford, so I don't understand how he came to lead the polls so drastically when everyone, including the papers, hates him.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Smitherman was leading the polls significantly in the spring and early summer, but recently support for Ford seems to have exploaded, and I don't know why.

I THINK what happened is that when Mammoliti dropped out of the race, because he decided to endorce Ford (which is SO fucked - since Ford called Mammoliti a "Gino" - who the fuck would endorse someone who called you a racist name?) people who were planning to vote for Mammoliti are now planning to vote for Ford?

I also think that what is going on is that the "asshole vote" is ALL going to Ford, and the "everybody else vote" is split between the other candidates. I mean, that's how the fucking Conservatives got into power in this country in the first place. All of the assholes voted Conservative, and the rest of us split our votes between the NDP, Liberals, Bloc, etc.

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by betenoire

I THINK what happened is that when Mammoliti dropped out of the race, because he decided to endorce Ford (which is SO fucked - since Ford called Mammoliti a "Gino" - who the fuck would endorse someone who called you a racist name?) people who were planning to vote for Mammoliti are now planning to vote for Ford?

I also think that what is going on is that the "asshole vote" is ALL going to Ford, and the "everybody else vote" is split between the other candidates. I mean, that's how the fucking Conservatives got into power in this country in the first place. All of the assholes voted Conservative, and the rest of us split our votes between the NDP, Liberals, Bloc, etc.

True, but part of what annoys me about the situation is that what saved Canada from a Conservative majority was the Toronto/southern Ontario vote, and now we're set to vote in Harper's twin. It doesn't make sense. Then again, they barely poll over 1000 people at once, so hopefully they've been doing their polling in places like Royal York, Rosedale and other wealthy areas of the city, and doesn't actually reflect what's going on in the rest of the city. One can only hope... I really hope the "every body else vote" comes to its senses and rallies behind Smitherman for all our sakes. We're pretty much fucked otherwise. If Ford gets in it'll be like Mike Harris all over again with the rest of Ontario exempt from the lunacy.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Then again, they barely poll over 1000 people at once, so hopefully they've been doing their polling in places like Royal York, Rosedale and other wealthy areas of the city, and doesn't actually reflect what's going on in the rest of the city.

Ah, that hadn't occurred to me. They should be required to poll by neighborhood and post the polls in that manner. You know "Rosedale loves him, Parkdale thinks he's a shitstick."

<3 Parkdale <3

[EnderD_503]

A few days ago Sarah Thomson dropped out to back Smitherman. She asked all those who would have voted for her to back Smitherman, and that she believed not allowing Ford to win was important in order to safeguard the city's future.

Honestly, I wish such support were behind Pantalone or Thomson herself, but at this point it's still "anyone's better than Ford."

Toronto mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson was welcomed at George Smitherman's campaign headquarters Tuesday after she dropped her bid for the city's top job and endorsed her former rival.

Polls in recent months have suggested Thomson is lagging well behind front-runners Rob Ford and Smitherman. She said at a morning news conference she was ending her bid because she didn't want Ford to be elected.

Ford "is going to basically destroy transit. He doesn't care about the social issues that George Smitherman cares about," she told reporters at the former provincial cabinet minister's headquarters after her announcement.

"I got to say, you know, at the end of the day, we have to look at the future of Toronto. To me that's the most important thing and I would trust Toronto in George Smitherman's hands."

"To each his own," Ford said in response to Thomson's comments.

"I will guarantee I will be right in there to the very end and I’m looking forward to it. ... I can’t really explain why Sarah’s doing what she’s doing, but I wish her all the best."

Smitherman, who opinion polls suggest is running second in the race, has said he's the only candidate who can stop Ford.
Pantalone, Rossi continue campaigns

The two other leading candidates, Coun. Joe Pantalone and Rocco Rossi, said they have no plans to follow Thomson's lead and drop out of the race.

Rossi said he believes many of the people who were going to vote for Thomson will now support him.

"Now I'm the only true outside business leader running against a slate of political insiders that don't represent real change for the City of Toronto," he said.

Pantalone said the election is still a month away and a lot can change in that time. He said he's the only candidate not calling for significant budget cuts.

"I feel optimistic," he said. "Let the campaign continue. This is just another step in this journey."

Thomson joined the race In January to replace outgoing Mayor David Miller. She quit her job as publisher of Women's Post magazine to jump into the race.

Less than a week ago, Thomson's campaign team played down reports that she was considering ending her run for mayor. They said she wouldn't stop campaigning, despite published reports suggesting she was considering withdrawing to stop Ford from winning.

Thomson's name will remain on the ballot for the Oct. 25 vote.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/sto...son-mayor.html

[imperfect_cupcake]

I'm leaving a recently voted tory england that's mutilating it's public services. the last thing I want is to go home to a fuckwit canada.

[betenoire]

Jesus H Christ!

New rule: douchebags from the suburbs should no longer be allowed to vote in Toronto Elections.

I seriously cannot believe this guy won. Mortified.