If you haven’t heard by now — which seems unlikely, since this story has been plastered over the internet like wallpaper — Rob Ford has taken a leave of absence to deal with his personal issues, after another video reportedly showing the mayor partaking in banned substances hit the web.
Let’s talk about this.
This is, in all likelihood, the best thing he could have done for himself, as long as he’s willing to commit to bettering himself. At this point, he should probably get the campaign out of his mind entirely, because he can’t have both. He cannot get the help he needs AND campaign for reelection simultaneously.
And at this point, his reelection chances are nill. Voters are absolutely going to sympathize with him at this moment, but considering some of the dreadful things he recently said . . . well, take a look at these excerpts from The National Post:
Ford on the raising of the Pride flag during the Sochi Olympics
“[They] put this fucking flag up, ahead of our Canadian flag. I said, no, [that’s what I’m trying to say] that’s bullshit. Bullshit. They went to Queen’s Park, they said, “No way.” Tim Hudak comes out and says, “Yeah I agree with all the gays.” That’s it.”
Ford on Karen Stintz
“I’d like to fucking jam her, but she don’t want it. I can’t talk like this anymore. [Responding to a female voice] I’m so sorry, I forgot there was a woman in the house.”
Ford using slurs against the Italian community
“[I heard a] dumb fucking wop over there, sorry. Is that racist? Sorry. If you don’t get a shot in two seconds I’ll knock your fucking teeth out. No, no, I don’t want that fucking dago down there to start . . . I want to give him two shots . . . ’cause those two dagos are drinking together.”
The unfortunate truth is that this is no longer a matter of personal issues versus public issues. The line between those is now long gone, and being in office will only exacerbate Ford’s problems. So, Ford, for your own sake, just push the idea of reelection out of your head for now and focus on getting the help you need.
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