Win Without Even Campaigning

What a sad commentary on the democratic system! It is an insult to everyone who takes the time to learn the issues and goes to the polling station on election day. It is a sad day when people vote
for anyone but........

Miller’s no city mascot but he’s sure to win again
Sep. 12, 2006. 05:31 AM
JIM COYLE

Let’s try something.

Name any six Canadian mayors, including three from outside Greater Toronto.

Now, name any three U.S. mayors.

Finally, name one mayor from outside North America.

At a guess, unless you’re a member of the chattering classes or enrolled in an urban affairs course, answers did not stream immediately to mind. Don’t fret. You’re normal. There’s no such thing as a celebrity- machine called Municipal Idol.

In fact, there was a story told once of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, in which he strolled a city-hall corridor lined with portraits of his predecessors, looked up at one and said: ‘‘Who’s this? Why is he important? That’s the thing about mayors. You go up on the wall and 10 years later no one knows who you were.’’

Usually, yes. Occasionally, no.

It will take Toronto some time, after all, to forget the years of Mel. Mississauga will be as old as Rome is now before anyone forgets Hazel. Epochal circumstance — and the ability to rise to it — made Rudy Giuliani a mayoral legend so durable his face could probably be added to Mt. Rushmore.

Still, because they are so familiar and ubiquitous, mayors have been easy figures of fun.

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