Torontonians and their neighbours woke up to the somewhat startling news yesterday that city councillor Rob Ford had a slight popularity lead in the race for mayor (with the vote to be held Oct 25). Those who had a near coronary attack at the thought may have been reassured by another poll released later in the day showing former deputy premier George Smitherman in the lead by almost the same numbers. Both polls had the lead well within the margin of error and 40% of those polls were undecided.
Those who admired the buffoon in former mayor and bad boy Mel Lastman have to imagine a re-run with Ford, although I don't recall Lastman ever assaulting anyone in a drunken stupor at a hockey game or similarly making a fool of himself. And Lastman did have the benefit of years of experience as mayor of North York - not that that seemed to help him much when he moved to the larger stage of the amalgamated City of Toronto. Ford has less experience even (councillor in Etobicoke) but, to be fair, must be about a foot taller than Lastman, bringing him closer to the David Miller standard in one aspect at least.
As concerned neighbours, we must be thankful it's still months until election day and hopeful the numbers will not firm-up until after candidates Smitherman and Ford show us their platforms. Nevertheless, Torontonians should be mindful of the last time they elected a clown with all the answers about cleaning-up city hall.
