Panic in Centennial Park: Rob Ford's Future

As much as he seems like the Teflon Mayor at times, I can't imagine he lasts much longer if the tape is actually going to be in public circulation anytime soon. Leaning towards "finishes term, doesn't run again," though "resigns" looks likely as well. I have to imagine that if/when he leaves, he'll make it on his own terms, as it seems to be nigh-impossible to actually legally force someone out of the seat.

"Other" covers at least two other possibilities should he resign and then decide to run again--obviously unlikely--and a leave of absence could be tucked into one of the other possibilities.

Last night, I told my friend he'd finish out his term, continue to insist that he'll be running running again (primarily to bait the media), then drop out after someone advises him he has no chance to win. But after the pile-on from Toronto newspapers this morning--all four are calling for resignation, even the Sun--I'm less sure. So I'll wait till the end of the week before voting.

Yes--I don't think there are any legal grounds right now for "removed from office." But I suppose that could change when you're dealing with a crack-smoking mayor.

Some potential clues for the immediate future:

https://soundcloud.com/am640/carroll-is-this-rob-ford-oct

Sun says the clan has gathered for a Ford family meeting this afternoon:
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/01/fords-holding-family-meeting

Intervention, or getting ready to go to the mattresses?

my money is on heart attack

lol

Intervention, or getting ready to go to the mattresses?

Doug: You know any good spots on the west side?
Rob: Yeah, I'll think about it.
Doug: Well think about it while you're drivin', will you? I want to hit Long Branch sometime this month.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

resigns, runs again, wins

For everything that's been said, I'm still going to vote resigns. I think the combination of public pressure, media pressure, the slow and never-ending drip-drip of additional stuff, and him becoming more and more of a pariah at City Hall will see him leave at some point.

I'll leave it at resigns. I don't think he'll run again, but if he were to, I don't think he'd win.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

i thought there was no procedure to remove him from office

where is "dies"

(xpost) The council has already started some procedure whereby they seek the Premier's help in removing him from office. It may just be symbolic, not sure.

Brio was on the other thread today speculating that if Ford can get through this, he's got a chance to be re-elected. I just can't see that happening at this point. I've only heard about this latest video (is it out there to be seen?), but it sounds pretty dire. I'm not sure if a politician has ever rebounded from such a colossal meltdown. Clinton survived Lewinsky, but for a whole bunch of reasons there's not much comparison.

Marion Barry, I know--I guess it does happen.

I'm shocked this guy is still in office. What are his positions on drug laws? Is he a hypocrite in this regard?

Here's his campaign platform from 2010 (not sure if it's a third-party summary):

http://www.ibiketo.ca/sites/default/files/Rob%20Ford%20Campaign%20Platform%20Oct2010.pdf

No mention of drugs, no promise of free crack for everyone that I can see.

RIP Rob Ford

46 years old. “The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.” So Ford was either a very bright candle, or a puddle of kerosene.

Somehow, the movie that recasts the hero of the story as a man, and features a Ford who looks like Fat Bastard from Austin Powers, isn't very good:

https://www.filmfreakcentral.net/ffc/2020/03/run-this-town.html

Frankly, swapping the gender of the actual reporter who broke the story should by itself, in 2020, exorcise any goodwill gathered for this endeavour. Fair to wonder what Run This Town is about, as it's not going to teach anyone anything and no one who ostensibly should be watching it is ever going to watch it. What's the story behind its creation? Was it pitched as a searing, topical exposé more urgent than ever? The problem I have with that is the same problem I have with the much-better-because-at-least-it-was-respectful The Report, in that if this is why the movie was made, it feels more opportunistic than it does genuinely motivated by some kind of public service. Run This Town is a very basic Rudy story wrapped up in genuinely horrific bullshit heralding the end of democracy before a tidal wave of criminal syndicates gaining power through the cynical stoking of white nationalism. I find it distasteful to use the fall of the West as the method of conveyance for a crowd-pleaser designed to make you feel good and, more than good, smart for getting broad references to Ron Jeremy, Marie Antoinette, and Deep Throat and an extended metaphor employing the Apollo program and moon landings. I mean, not only does Run This Town reference All the President's Men explicitly, but Tollman also films an underground-parking garage infodump in self-knowing (?) homage, in case you missed it. All of it's impossible to miss. Even so, by the end the characters are reduced to delivering long streams of moralizing exposition--which, in hindsight, while annoying, is still better than the self-congratulatory hipster patter wallpapering the rest of it.