Ford should explain, with humility, the relentless, ruthless and unprecedented (in this country) pressures he has been under since becoming Mayor. He can truthfully portray that his opponents never accepted him as their Mayor or gave him a chance, that their attacks have descended to repeatedly trespassing on his property, frightening his daughter and attacking his family. He should say that he has never experienced such viciousness before and was not, personally or temperamentally, equipped for this bullying. But he can claim that, rather than succumbing to his detractors, he stuck to his mandate and focused on doing his work. And then remind people of his achievements; Fighting union entrenchment and excessive benefits, holding tough on taxes, privatizing garbage collection, eliminating the ridiculous Jarvis Street bike lane; and the promises to come; expanding the island airport. Keeping the tax base rather than subsidized housing on the waterfront, subways outside of the downtown core. However, he must acknowledge that these personal attacks upon himself and his family have taken a severe emotional toll. He responded, he should explain, by turning to drink and, a couple of times, something stronger, as an unfortunate escape. Since the underlying facts are true and the reaction understandable, most will believe and sympathize with him. He then has to advise that he is seeking treatment and using his accumulated vacation time to obtain that assistance now. He should provide a definite return date. If he does not do that, his opponents will resist his ever returning. If he does all of these things and returns rehabilitated and refreshed, his resurrection could become a political legend and he, to his opponents’ chagrin, an unstoppable force.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 02:24:09 +0000