Why is Toronto's crack-smoking Mayor Rob Ford so popular?
Despite a months-long drug scandal, Ford's poll numbers haven't gone up in smoke
After months of denials, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford finally came clean on Tuesday: He has smoked crack after all.
Ford admitted to hitting the rock, but blamed it on the fact that he was "probably in one of my drunken stupors."
Ok, everyone? Rob Ford has smoked crack, but only because he was so thoroughly loaded that crack sounded like a reasonable nightcap at the time.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A quick recap: In May, Gawker and the Toronto Star reported that Ford had been caught on video smoking crack with alleged drug dealers. Ford denied the allegations, and clung to power even as members of his staff resigned or were forced out.
With the scandal bubbling for so long, you would expect Ford's approval rating to be in hot water. Except the opposite is actually true: Ford's approval rating has gone up.
A Forum Research poll last week found Ford's approval rating had climbed five points, to 44 percent, after Toronto police announced they were in possession of the alleged tape. Another recent survey pegged his approval rating even higher, at 49 percent.
What gives? Are the good citizens of Toronto — pardon the expression — smoking crack?
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Probably not, or at least not all of them. But they may see enough of themselves in Ford and his bumbling, everyman shtick that they're willing to overlook a little illegal drug use.
Remember, this isn't the first time Ford has run afoul of the law or done something seemingly unbecoming of the leader of Canada's largest city. He has had numerous drunken escapades during his political career, and was once tossed from a Maple Leafs game for being that guy and screaming at fans. Yet voters still stuck by him, suggesting there may be a "groundswell of hardworking, beer-drinking people rallying around an ordinary guy," as Toronto Life's Marci McDonald put it to the BBC.
Ford's political capital comes from the steadfast support of a slice of Toronto suburbanites who are distrustful of government and who have embraced his push for fiscal austerity. These supporters, often dubbed "Ford Nation," view the city as "the enemy, always reaching deeper into their pockets, intruding into their lives," says the Toronto Star's Christopher Hume.
And indeed, polls have shown Ford Nation standing firmly behind their man during the scandal.
It's likely that Toronto's improving economy is also giving Ford a lift. The city's unemployment rate dropped almost three percentage points in the past year alone, to 7.1 percent in August.
"I was elected on a promise to create jobs, and that's exactly what I've done," Ford said at the time.
That's why Ford is considered to be in good shape to win re-election next year, regardless of his crack-smoking.
"The attitude of a lot of people is that, 'Look, I didn't elect this guy because he doesn't sleep around or he doesn't do crack cocaine,'" University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman told the CBC. "I elected him because I think there's a gravy train at City Hall, and that's what I care about."
So to Ford's critics: Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published