That's all very nice, but calling Ford supporters uninformed is actually giving them the benefit of the doubt. It's really the nicest thing you could say about them. How are other politicians supposed to match Ford's unique appeal to the disenfranchised? Not use such big words? Act like idiots? Associate with criminals? Pander for votes by offering to come over and vacuum your drapes personally?
With due respect, I'll say look at a videos of RoFo when he does his retail politics. It's not about big words, and yes he's not a harvard grad. But he is aware of who his target audience is in many ways, and he is able to communicate his message across, quite effectively if we're talking about politics. Rofo is not going for an english dissertation and enunciation award of excellence, he's slinging repetitive slogans. And considering where we are right now, his method's success can not be easily dismissed.
By god, even associating with criminals and thugs, I would've thought that was the final straw. But either through sheer luck or brazen shamelessness, he treats it like some kind of gangster cred with some of the youth segment. 'He's real', is not an uncommon response I've heard. Yes it's Kardashian level stupid, but I think it's dangerous to just dismiss it outright. And yes, he is pandering for votes by showing up personally in many instances. Because people are not robots who acts on logic 100% all the time. Little things and emotional connection even if faked, can still leave a lasting impression. When his opponents don't show, and only Rofo shows up and with a camera crew in tow. Guess who wins points by default.
Ford has this thing where he craves affirmation, so if you act like you like him, he'll be nice to you. In no way should that be mistaken for his actually being a good person. If people are actually willing to fall for that, what can you do? Competing on that level just means that politics will literally become a personal popularity contest, and that ain't good for anybody.
I more than agree that his song and dance doesn't make him a good person. At best he's a seriously flawed person with serious addiction and other problems. At worst, he's that and he's bringing serious problems to the city. And he's also a raging bully and an immature asshole. But politics has had a popularity contest aspect to it for a very long time, I think way before Rofo appeared on the scene. And will long after he left or hopefully kicked out in Oct.
It's important that people who run for office stick to a higher standard than Rob-fricking-Ford when trying to get votes, even if it means they lose.
With the stakes that's being played for, I hope RoDofo's opponents don't settle for a 'moral victory'. Because that can still mean Rofo wins the merryl race, and I think most of Toronto would lose in that outcome.