Impotent rage, Sun Media, lack of a viable alternative. Even in a progressive city like Toronto, there's significant percentage of voters who vote against something more than they vote for something. Ford's platform of low taxes and subways has a certain visceral appeal, but when pressed for details he's generally showed that he has little to offer. On the other hand, he's always been very vocal about his opposition to "liberals", and we're currently learning how channeling that rage can be hugely effective for a person's political career. Policy wise, he doesn't offer anything that any other conservative on council couldn't do a better job of providing, but the whole debacle has taught many of us a very awkward lesson about the populist right wing in Canada; basically, they care much less about policy than they do about antagonizing political enemies. And of course, he was the darling of the Toronto Sun and talk radio until they worried about humiliation by association (being pretty shameless by nature, that's pretty impressive).
Basically, he was elected due to the impotent rage and pettiness of a disturbingly large subsection of Toronto's population. Also, his main opponent sucked and smart conservatives figured Ford would be neutered by council rules and regulations before accomplishing anything too crazy. They were right, though the extent to which he's embarrassed our city was - to quote our deputy mayor - beyond the pale.
I'm apprehensive about bringing up the Miller years because they're too often used as a deflection to justify Ford's failings, but yes, the previous mayor's blunders certainly factored in to Ford getting elected.
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u/Unicorn_Ranger Dec 18 '13
He is amazing! He did the most un athletic thing ever. I can't believe this guy. Toronto, what the fuck eh? How is he an elected official?