[Hydrogen]

Why run for mayor when down the road you could have a crack at becoming Premier?

 

[lordmandeep]

I don't know, Mcgunity I think is trying for a third term, as strangely with the economy down, he is now popular and liked then he ever was. Well personally, I thought he was weak in the first term but he has become a much more wiser, experienced man.

If he faced election and he continues to build his image in a positive he could easily win a third term as the right is in despair. Also, I do not think a Mike Harris type would work much in the suburbs now.

Anyways, I would vote for Smitherman and get a more centrist opinion at city hall. The city is run by socialists and is taking a turn for the worse. Sure the downtown is booming but look outside to the suburban areas...

 

[Hydrogen]

No doubt McGuinty will go for a third term. But if he is biding his time in order to eventually become Premier, Smitherman can, in many ways, do more for Toronto than a mayor can.

I see him more likely to move up in the government food chain.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

I see him more likely to move up in the government food chain.

but he better not pull anymore of those crazy antics or he might end up being politically digested by his opponents and pushed out into a diaper.

 

[lordmandeep]

I heard the reason why he is so hated by his opponents is because he is an attack dog.

They say he is Dalton's enforcer...

Dalton does all of the positive happy talk while Smitterman attacks and yells at his opponents.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

They say he is Dalton's enforcer...

so smitherman is to mcguinty as huxley is to darwin?

 

[lordmandeep]

Well yeah you can say so.

I was more referring to the mafia where there is the don and the enforcer is one who goes after the Don's opponents and protects him.
Ex: Luca Brasi in the Godfather.


Anyways, I do not think Smitherman is leader type material. He is way to angry and bossy and this will entice resentment against him.

 

[adma]

Somehow, if there's a 416-zone heir to Dalton, it's more likely to be someone like Michael Bryant...

 

[lordmandeep]

To me Dalton already looking at his legacy and wants to be like Bill Davis who is now part of Ontario Political folklore. Imo I would not mind a third term only if it results in the completion of his transit plans.

I did not like his first term as he seemed unprepared, nervous and did not have clue what he was doing. Lately though he has been a much more wiser man.

Its weird how the economy is suffering yet he remain popular. He has done a great job of blaming it on Stephen Harper. Also standing up to Harper and Flaherty, really enhanced his image a lot. When Flaherty was telling what Ontario should do, and Dalton responded harshly, even his critics were applauding him.

 

[Blovertis]

To those in Mr. Smitherman's emerging mayoral coalition, the TTC's approach gives him an opportunity to stake out a position by challenging the TTC plan and, at the extreme, backing the creation of a regional transit agency that would take over the TTC.

If that's how it plays out, I know who I'm voting for in the next election.

 

[Hydrogen]

Only the province has the muscle to create a regional transit agency. A mayor of Toronto would have to face not only the TTC, but every mayor of every surrounding city who would either believe that they would be shafted by Toronto, or that Toronto would be getting gold-plated service while they were getting screwed. If Smitherman actually wants to do this, he can do it more effectively from Queens's Park rather than Toronto City Hall.