http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/0...waits-other-possible-high-profile-contenders/
Mayor Rob Ford became the first person to sign up for the 2014 municipal election race on Thursday, and quickly turned combative when asked how he would respond to questions about last year’s crack scandal on the campaign trail.
“Let them talk about whatever they want. I’m going to stick to my record. I want to see someone get a union deal like I did, get rid of the taxes like I have,” Mayor Ford told reporters at city hall.
Touting his attendance record at council meetings, campaign promises fulfilled and his leadership during crises such as the recent ice storm, Mr. Ford declared himself “the best mayor that this city has ever had.”
He trotted out his new campaign slogan: Ford More Years, and said he was “itching” to start the gruelling campaign, which ends at the ballot box October 27.
He promised to debate anyone anytime, anywhere, including someone’s backyard.
So far, Councillor Karen Stintz and former councillor David Soknacki have declared their intentions to run for mayor. Others mulling it over include John Tory, Olivia Chow and Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong.
Mayor Ford became defensive on Thursday when pressed by reporters about why voters should trust him after he denied smoking crack cocaine for months. He only admitted to it after the police chief revealed investigators had recovered a video apparently showing him smoking crack cocaine. “You want to get personal, I’m sticking to my record, that’s all personal. That’s all personal,” Mayor Ford said.
“I’ve got the strongest track record, I’ve been the best mayor that this city has ever had. My record speaks for itself. You can keep diverting things. I know you’re going to do that for ten months, I’m going to stick to my record,” he said. “Who got rid of the car registration tax? I did. Who came in with a lower tax increase than 2% over four years? I have. Who has got the best union deals? I have. Who got the subways built… I can go through my whole list. You’re going to sit here for an hour.”
Far from promising to do things differently, Mr. Ford suggested he wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’m going to continue doing what I’ve been doing, watching every dime that’s being spent,” he said.
The mayor was in a more relaxed mood earlier in a line up of people who were registering to be candidates in the 2014 campaign.
He drew a wad of twenty-dollar bills from his left breast pocket to pay his $200 registration fee dressed in a blue pinstripe suit that may or may not have been new — the mayor said it was; his brother Councillor Doug Ford said he loaned him one of his. “You can find them on discount at $25 bucks a crack now,” joked Councillor Ford, who says he will be the mayor’s campaign manager.
Afterwards, Councillor Ford was more direct in how the mayor will explain his crack use to voters. “It’s very simple: Everyone makes mistakes in life. Rob made a mistake, he’s apologized profusely, he’s showing you what he’s going to do to turn it around and he’s doing it.”
Mayor Ford later attended a press conference about storm clean up that he wasn’t scheduled to be at, sharing the stage with Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, who will only say at this point that he will be running for council. Both Mr. Ford and Mr. Minnan-Wong responded to criticism from Councillor Karen Stintz about leadership during the storm.
“We’ve been here every day and we did an excellent job. And if Karen thinks she could have done a better job I’d like to see her plan and where she was,” said Mayor Ford.
Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, who was also at the storm clean up announcement, reacted to the mayor’s early registration with “quelle surprise.” He said he still has no intention of seeking the job himself. “My focus will be on good government at the city of Toronto. We’ve got important things that we’ve got to get done,” he said.
As for bringing up the crack scandal during the campaign, Mr. Minnan-Wong thinks it’s fair game.
“I think character and integrity and trust are key elements of any mayoralty campaign,” he said.
Mayor Rob Ford became the first person to sign up for the 2014 municipal election race on Thursday, and quickly turned combative when asked how he would respond to questions about last year’s crack scandal on the campaign trail.
“Let them talk about whatever they want. I’m going to stick to my record. I want to see someone get a union deal like I did, get rid of the taxes like I have,” Mayor Ford told reporters at city hall.
Touting his attendance record at council meetings, campaign promises fulfilled and his leadership during crises such as the recent ice storm, Mr. Ford declared himself “the best mayor that this city has ever had.”
He trotted out his new campaign slogan: Ford More Years, and said he was “itching” to start the gruelling campaign, which ends at the ballot box October 27.
He promised to debate anyone anytime, anywhere, including someone’s backyard.
So far, Councillor Karen Stintz and former councillor David Soknacki have declared their intentions to run for mayor. Others mulling it over include John Tory, Olivia Chow and Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong.
Mayor Ford became defensive on Thursday when pressed by reporters about why voters should trust him after he denied smoking crack cocaine for months. He only admitted to it after the police chief revealed investigators had recovered a video apparently showing him smoking crack cocaine. “You want to get personal, I’m sticking to my record, that’s all personal. That’s all personal,” Mayor Ford said.
“I’ve got the strongest track record, I’ve been the best mayor that this city has ever had. My record speaks for itself. You can keep diverting things. I know you’re going to do that for ten months, I’m going to stick to my record,” he said. “Who got rid of the car registration tax? I did. Who came in with a lower tax increase than 2% over four years? I have. Who has got the best union deals? I have. Who got the subways built… I can go through my whole list. You’re going to sit here for an hour.”
Far from promising to do things differently, Mr. Ford suggested he wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’m going to continue doing what I’ve been doing, watching every dime that’s being spent,” he said.
The mayor was in a more relaxed mood earlier in a line up of people who were registering to be candidates in the 2014 campaign.
He drew a wad of twenty-dollar bills from his left breast pocket to pay his $200 registration fee dressed in a blue pinstripe suit that may or may not have been new — the mayor said it was; his brother Councillor Doug Ford said he loaned him one of his. “You can find them on discount at $25 bucks a crack now,” joked Councillor Ford, who says he will be the mayor’s campaign manager.
Afterwards, Councillor Ford was more direct in how the mayor will explain his crack use to voters. “It’s very simple: Everyone makes mistakes in life. Rob made a mistake, he’s apologized profusely, he’s showing you what he’s going to do to turn it around and he’s doing it.”
Mayor Ford later attended a press conference about storm clean up that he wasn’t scheduled to be at, sharing the stage with Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, who will only say at this point that he will be running for council. Both Mr. Ford and Mr. Minnan-Wong responded to criticism from Councillor Karen Stintz about leadership during the storm.
“We’ve been here every day and we did an excellent job. And if Karen thinks she could have done a better job I’d like to see her plan and where she was,” said Mayor Ford.
Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, who was also at the storm clean up announcement, reacted to the mayor’s early registration with “quelle surprise.” He said he still has no intention of seeking the job himself. “My focus will be on good government at the city of Toronto. We’ve got important things that we’ve got to get done,” he said.
As for bringing up the crack scandal during the campaign, Mr. Minnan-Wong thinks it’s fair game.
“I think character and integrity and trust are key elements of any mayoralty campaign,” he said.
like "you should be embarrassed!" 
