A game plan for John Tory
A political tornado is swirling in Toronto.
A smelly strike by the city's 30,000 inside and outside workers is heading into week two for our labour-friendly mayor.
The city's looming 2010 budget, far from being a light at the end of the tunnel, is a train coming at him .
His gamble to get the city's new streetcars paid for through the federal infrastructure stimulus fund has been derailed by the Conservatives in Ottawa and many local residents are irked by city council's perceived war on the car.
Clearly, these are not great days for Mayor David Miller.
At the same time, the city's former political movers and shakers -- like Paul Godfrey -- are working behind the scenes to find a viable candidate to run against Miller in 2010.
So be prepared for the potential unleashing of John Tory. The third time's the charm ... maybe.
Tory, who lost to Miller in 2003 and then face-planted as leader of the Ontario Tories -- bowing out of politics earlier this year -- is non-committal.
Who can blame him? He was pummelled by tangential issues like building a bridge to the island airport in the city election and on his proposal to fund religious schools across the province -- the latter a disaster entirely of his own making.
Indeed, at times he seems the politician with the grenade touch at election time.
That said, on some big issues, he's been proven right.
In the 2003 city election, Tory called for a strengthened Toronto police force. Miller, after being elected, all but adopted Tory's strategy.
At Queen's Park, Tory unleashed his researchers earlier this year to unearth what he thought were potential scandals at eHealth. Turned out he was right, again.
But if Tory does want his career path to include another shot at mayor, our advice is play it cool.
Don't jump too soon. Enjoy this time with your family.
Besides, when your opponent is digging himself into a hole -- as Miller is -- the best course of action is to stand back.
Live as an ordinary citizen for a while, not as a politician or corporate CEO, but as the neighbour you run into at the grocery store.
Also, keep the talk radio show.
Meanwhile, Tory's friends are doing the work for him, including sponsoring a favourable poll on the front page of one of Canada's national newspapers last week.
John Tory is the only person potentially vying for the mayor's job who could swoop in after the 2010 budget is delivered and run a short, strong campaign.
With support from some influential backers and his proven ability to fundraise, money shouldn't be a problem.
Victory could be his -- as it should have been in 2003 -- if he doesn't fall over another tripwire.
Miller looks wounded. Tory should stand clear and let him "unelect" himself.
Then again, we said that about Dalton McGuinty, too.
Jun. 25, 2009
To say that I am or rather was a John Tory Progressive Conservative is an understatement.
1 comment:
Over the years I've come to like John Tory a little more.
Tory would be smart to run as mayor. Though, should Adam Vaughn decide to run, Tory could lose his shot, once again.
Poor guy.
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