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Rob Ford: a very needy political animal


“How could this have happened?” I can’t tell you how many times people asked me that question, “this” being the election of the foul-mouthed, crack-smoking Rob Ford to the highest office in our city. 

But I “got” Rob Ford. For me the moment came at a Christmas party for Talk Radio AM640’s John Oakley Show at a restaurant in Greektown. 

Ford, whom Oakley had supported big time with a regular weekly spot on his show, walked in, and the place went bananas. 

Sure, some of that had to do with diners getting a thrill out of their close proximity to power. But the way Ford lit up when he sensed the adoration was telling. He fed off it. I’m telling you, he worked the entire room, sidled up to every table and pressed the flesh.

During the first week of 2014, when the mayor managed to get clean for a few days, he and his team interrupted the radio show I was on weekly with Oakley to talk about his second candidacy. Before he went on air, while brother Doug was badgering me in the background, hollering, “I’ll debate you any time,” Rob shook my hand, smiled warmly and looked me straight in the eye: “Good meeting you, Susan,” he said with alarming authenticity. At the same time I got strong whiff of neediness.

He was a very skilled, hands-on, I-can-make-anyone-believe-that-I-care-about-you type of politician.

Which is why I’ve always resisted the easy comparisons to Donald Trump. Yes, their popularity was/is a by-product of celebrity culture. Ford never saw a cellphone he wouldn’t pose for and confused that kind of attention with political support.

Yes, they were/are both buffoons. Yes, everyone wrongly assumed their candidacies were/are a joke. Yes, they loved/love racist stereotypes. Yes, they shared/share a deeply misogynist streak. Which is the more appalling, Trump’s slag of what he thought were Megyn Kelly’s menstrual issues or Ford’s braggadocio regarding cunnilingus?

But Trump is a demagogue, and Rob Ford was a common man – in more ways than one. Trump lacks the personal touch Ford was amazing one-on-one. 

Trump doesn’t have barbecues in his backyard. Do you think he would even consider returning a constituent’s call, something Ford ludicrously continued to do even when it wasn’t in the mayor’s job description? 

Trump would never take a position as lowly as city councillor, let alone pick up the phone.

Trump makes his pronouncements from a great height. Ford got down with regular folks – though he stooped lower than a leader should.

Politics was one of Ford’s many addictions – that neediness of his was driving him. And he sure was good at it. Don’t believe for a second that his electoral success was a fluke.

susanc@nowtoronto.com | @susangcole

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