[toto]

All joking aside, I simply don't understand why people staunchly back Smitherman. Do you all believe he champions some sort of cause? Or is he winning your vote simply for not being "Ford" (The other four letter word).

From the debates I've watched all the man does is speak out of both sides of his mouth. He's a career politician, and how he manages to evade people's BS-meters astounds me.

Kevin Clarke is the only "politician" this city has ever seen that is openly honest. Keep voting into the left-right paradigm people, and when you go to sleep at night keep believing you're making a difference.

Neither Ford or Smitherman are going to do great, or even good, things for the city. Smitherman is just the better of two, IMO. We'll have to wait 4 more years to see if anyone with a vision and substance comes along.

 

[Roy G Biv]

There is actually nothing wrong with what Pantalone said. If a person cannot in good conscience cast their vote for a candidate then spoiling the ballot is a valid alternative. A person should never vote for the sake of voting, at the end of the day we all have to live by our decisions. By spoiling the ballot at least you are taking part in the process instead of staying at home. I would never vote for Pantalone but I hope that all of his supporters who believe in his NDP policies will cast their vote for him and not be swayed by the anyone but Ford cries from the Smitherman campaign.

Thank you. The exaggerations by the Smitherman supporters here are hilarious. They sound like toddlers. This is coming from someone who will vote for Smitherman. Pantalone's answer was a good one. If you think it wasn't, how would you have answered the question?

Spoiling your ballot is part of the democratic process. It means a lot more than staying at home.

You know and he knows he would prefer Smitherman.

Do we?

Hey archanfel, this post is awesome and crazy and kind of the best thing I've ever read. Thought I'd follow up because this Marcus Gee piece in the Globe today does a good job of explaining eHealth and Smitherman's role within it: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...er-ehealthy-debate/article1762986/?cmpid=rss1

Let me know if it reminds you of any other parables!

It's probably important to note that Marcus Gee is very good friends with former eHealth CEO Sarah Kramer, and has admitted as much in his columns. I'm not saying he doesn't make some interesting points, but it's always important to consider the source.

Speaking only for myself, I never staunchly backed Smitherman.

I think anyone who staunchly backs any political candidate has an agenda, or is very naive. For a realist, every election should really come down to a "lesser of evils" strategy.

Anyways, I am prepared to vote against Ford, and then ultimately be disappointed by Smitherman's reign in office. Who's with me!?

 

[cgguy]

What's that supposed to mean? Won't voting in a different candidate make a difference, left or right? Isn't that the point of elections altogether?

Oh, you mean like voting for a candidate that isn't "provided" to you by the Provincial or Federal government? Or a candidate that isn't backed by a major newspaper? Yes, that would be making a difference.

At the start of the election there were 39 candidates. 39! Can you name more than 5 of them? There are people who would make a difference in Toronto. Unfortunately they don't have the financial backing or established Government career to ever make it happen.

There's a long way to go before people wake up to change. Hopefully I'll live to see the day, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[GraphicMatt]

Democratic reform is a lofty goal and a good one, but a week before an election isn't really the time to start getting all philosophical about it. Our duty as voters is to do what's best for our city given the options in front of us.

 

[TonyV]

FYI, I am not a staunch Smitherman supporter. About one month ago I decided I would give him my vote to prevent Ford from getting in, and (similar to what Roy G Biv has written) I am prepared for a few disappointments from George now and then. In other words, situation normal - we have to make choices in this life and the choices are not always palatable.

 

[Torontovibe]

It has occurred to me that Smitherman dropping out of high school may have had more to with his being gay, than it did with his academic abilities. My daughter had two gay friends dropout in grade 10 because of the bullying. They were both very bright and are now successful. That was back in 2003. It was probably worse when Smitherman was in school. Plus his parents divorced when he was 11 or 12. It could have being a pretty tough time for a teenage Smitherman. I'll give him the benefit of doubt and easy up on his lack of education. Ford, getting a degree, if true, says more about the university giving it to him, than it does about him.

Ford did not get a university degree. He claims he had to drop out to help his sister. Yeah, so we have 2 drop outs running for mayor.

 

[Torontovibe]

I'm simply over the moon that Smitherman may wind up winning this election. You see, I am a confused Gay male with perfect 20/20 vision.

I've been on the fence as whether or not I should go through with a sex change operation...luckily I won't have to rush my decision knowing ol' George has my backside on this one!

Thank god the Ontario tax dollar has me covered no matter what I decide! Thanks George! I might even celebrate with you over a couple tabs of Extacy like the old days. remember those days George?

ps. For those of you who wear glasses and have to pay out of pocket you have my deepest sympathy. So does George.

Oh give it a rest. You Ford Fanatics have no shame. You guys are spewing your rhetoric in every newspaper (reader's comments) radio call in shows, all political Youtube channels, TV news call in segments, internet forums and even Urban Toronto. When is this madness and hate going to come to an end? It can't come soon enough for me. I'm tired of hearing bull-shit!

 

[GraphicMatt]

My favourite is how Ford supporters act SHOCKED AND OFFENDED whenever a media outlet mentions Ford's weight issues. Let's throw a 300 lbs left-winger out there in an election and see how much respect they get from the Ford horde.

 

[toto]

If the typical Ford supporter is like the ones in my neighbourhood, I don't think he'll win. Most of them are in the local bar by 11:00AM and don't leave until closing. Their window of opportunity to vote is 8:00AM to 11:00AM. Then again they may not be typical or they may surprise me. Can't wait for the out come. Does anyone know if voting results for mayor are tallied by ward?

 

[MetroMan]

^ Yes. They are.

 

[MetroMan]

I can't seem to find a stream link of tonight's CP24 debate. As a back up, I'm pretty sure it will be broadcast on CP24 radio 1050.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

And just what is it about gender reassignment surgery that makes some people so angry?

did you ever get a forwarded email from a friend which you believe contains a series of pornographic images of a hot chick, and you scroll through them only to find a surprise in the second last image at the bottom, a surprise which managed to be kept hidden through camera angles and positioning in all the other images? and then you finally reach the last image and it's of ponch from CHiPs and he's telling you that you're gay?

it's all smitherman's fault!! even the resultant erection and then 10 "our fathers" from the experience mentioned above.

 

[JasonParis]

I'd love to see newspapers institute a very small fee that users have to pay before they comment. Something laughably small - like $2 per year - would probably work wonders in terms of keeping the conversation more mature.

CBC/Radio-Canada is seriously considering changing their comments sections so that you either have to use Facebook Connect or have a verified mailing address and are using your real name (as is demanded when one writes a letter to the editor). I'm fine with that. If you can't stand by your words with your own name, than maybe you shouldn't be saying them. I hope they do it and that others follow suit. It's just ridiculous right now. I know some columnists (I believe the Star's Christopher Hume) have been making a stink internally that it is detracting from their well thought-out columns having all this bile follow them.

Off the record (haha), I attended a Salon Camden event last night at MaRS where no press were allowed and it was just 30-40 academics asking Smitherman tough questions. A very educated crowd and he performed exceptionally well. I'm not a Smithermanic (Glen Murray was my prefered candidate), but he really does "get it" when it comes to complex big city issues and unfortunately that maybe hasn't come out enough in debates, etc. Or maybe, he's just constantly had to dumb things down to deal with stealing some Ford support. Regardless, he really feels Toronto isn't quite hitting its stride globally, but that we are awfully close. His love of the city seems genuine and I don't see any major change of course on Miller's initiatives that have worked well. Some cuts/rearrangements may be necessary in the near-term, but nowhere did I get the sense that he's on a slash and burn agenda and that anything cut would be very carefully considered. All in all, I'm more at peace with my vote today than yesterday.

 

[MetroMan]

^ Awesome. I've always found that sites where you use your real name, people behave more like they would in a real social setting.

Facebook Connect + subscribers using real names.

 

[Fac1]

I can't seem to find a stream link of tonight's CP24 debate. As a back up, I'm pretty sure it will be broadcast on CP24 radio 1050.

Might just go with radio or I could go down to the "party room" of my condo and see if the tv is available. I wonder if anyone else has an interest in the debate in my building.