How must we understand the moving scene outside the Etobicoke home of Doug Ford’s mom this evening? The newly-declared candidate for mayor, Rob Ford’s older brother, spoke with a cracking voice about fulfilling Rob Ford’s mission at City Hall, We heard about the plea of a sick man to enlist his brother to somehow prevent a return to the municipal bad old days. No one need feel cynical about the amazing scenario that unfolded there. We believe it was all sincere. Taking it as it seems to have been intended, however, it is absolutely no basis on which to cast a vote for mayor. Doug Ford’s speech this evening saw the public coupling of the mayor’s illness with the political aspirations of two brothers. However much one’s heart may go out to the mayor and his family in this time of difficulty electors must have the strength of mind to reject voting for Mr. Ford out of sympathy. Sympathy is no basis on which to choose a mayor. Unfortunately, however unwittingly this context was created, large parts of it are located in the thoroughly hard-headed realm of the public good. We hope that Doug Ford will not turn his campaign into a kind of wish foundation for his sick brother.
