I'm not surprised. Frankly, I expected this to happen a lot sooner...either because of what you've described, or just people hounding you in general. As soon as I saw threads about your posts on Reddit, I knew it was over. Oh well, you had a good run...
I'm curious. UrbanToronto is my Reddit. I don't go there but I'd like to read what was said about me.
I've also been saying (half-jokingly, but only half) that the campaign should do whatever it takes to get Kardinal to allow them to use this song:
It's more like this.
[video=youtube;-G1nR_Cox_A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G1nR_Cox_A[/video]
The rough concept video that I saw almost brought tears to my eyes. I walked away thinking "I LOVE TORONTO!"
Hasn't Carroll said otherwise? Not that she'll run, per se, but that she hasn't said that she won't?
Not publicly. She did soften her rhetoric. In the height of the Ford crack scandal, she all but said in words that she was running. I'm told that she's amongst several city councillors who made guarantees to the Laschinger team that they will not run against Olivia. If Chow for some reason decides to pull out, then it would be a race but she's not only already made up her mind, she's actively involved in preparing the campaign. Olivia Chow is running.
I'm pretty worried that the left will get a little lazy going into the campaign, underestimate the guy again, and assume that there's no way he can win again...and totally misjudge his base. Again.
I was worried about the same thing but Ford coming out of this scandal alive could have actually been good for those preparing to campaign against him. If they were left thinking that he had no chance at re-election, they might have underestimated him. This isn't the case, trust me. They're very aware that they have to convince a lot of people to abandon a "religion" and as a former catholic myself, I know that it's a losing battle trying to rationalize with people who strongly believe in something irrational.
To win an election, you don't have to get 100% of the vote so it's a good strategy to pick the 40-50% of the electorate that you need to win the election. Ford Nation isn't it. They're going to leave his supporters alone and go after people who are looking for inspiration, aspiration and leadership. They're going after people who are earning to love their city again. I may be biased and it may be funny to say this but after hearing the pitch and watching the concept video, I was convinced all over again about the importance of electing a Mayor who can make you proud in your city. I don't need any convincing of course, but it renewed my resolve and I think that many Torontonians are going to gather around this positive movement.
I just got really really excited for 2014 to arrive! Then for the first time in my life, I got excited that Summer is over. We've got 3 months before this election begins! Ford's term is almost over! wow...