Last week I took a much needed break – partially as I mentioned because of a computer melt down, and partially because of a fatigue of pontificating. I promised a return this past weekend, but that also didn’t happen because of my enjoyment of the malaise, some amazing weather, and a full slate of great football games.
But now, armed with a sleek and sexy new laptop, I am back.
Not everyone within City Hall is up in arms about the internal change that is currently occurring, as some might have the public believe.
Frances Bula wrote a story about the changes that are going on at City Hall, which is fascinating enough in its account of how those within the Hall are reacting to the way in which things are being shaped by the Vision administration. But then there was this comment left at her blog, which I for one don’t find surprising in the least:
He is who he is, and his messaging hasn't changed much over the course of this campaign. Ford's definition of self and policy priorities bodes well for Mayor Gregor Robertson
Yesterday’s polling showing Rob Ford taking a commanding lead over his closest rivals in the Toronto Mayoral race is stunning in its decisiveness. From my sources around the George Smitherman campaign, the mood is sombre and even defeatist at this point.
What is even more interesting than the gap in voting intentions is the fact that a new poll today finds that Ford is now seen as the most trustworthy candidate in the race. And what of Ford’s criminal past where even though got busted in Florida in 1999, he hadcomplete memory loss about getting charged when confronted by the media? Merely an afterthought.
Now as I have previously pointed out, Ford as an angry man reciting rhetoric along the lines of “We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore,” is really getting traction, regardless of his past indiscretions.
Now, one might deduct that this atmosphere of backlash against incumbents everywhere should present some real pause for concern within the upper reaches of the Vision Vancouver braintrust.
And yes, this type of political climate, particularly locally as seen in recent weeks, is a consideration that cannot be overlooked, and must guide Gregor and his team to consider the suggestions I had in my abovelinked post.
That being said, the Rob Ford model for success also provides a blueprint that seems to place Vision Vancouver in a decidedly advantageous position in the coming year ahead.
There isn't much difference between this fictional movie poster and the life and death drama surrounding "colours" in Vancouver - an emerging story that is directly connected to the top office in the city.
The Georgia Straight’s Charlie Smith, one of Vancouver’s top investigative journalists, continues to hit homeruns with his stunning exposé of Vision Vancouver’s troubling colour associations, and the frightening implications for our beloved city.
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“Perhaps it was my silk dress or the new perfume I’ve been wearing lately. When I asked Suzanne Anton what her New Year’s resolution was, she replied, “To kiss a pretty girl!” and pecked me on the cheek.” – Writer Emily Barca describing her encounter with the lone NPA City Councillor on New Year’s Eve.
