MetroMan,
I to was at the debate today. I agree that Ford appeared tired and a little grumpy. My i
Ford : Appeared tired and grumpy. Although he was the only candidate that addressed CFIB members number one issue. That is a promise to lower commercial taxes.
Thomson: Not Bad, though her justification on road tolls came across as ill informed. Namely it is to punish those whom enter the city, not meant for Toronto residents. Not realizing that Toronto is no longer a net importer of labour. No Word on lower commercial taxes.
Rossi: Definitely the most polished of the bunch. Seemed to down play the tunnel, saying he just wants to study it, and only if can be fully supported by tolls. No word on lowering commercial taxes.
Smitherman: Lied about helping protect business in Toronto when he was deputy premier by restricting the city's ability to riase taxes on nonresidential by half the residential increases. This is a bold face lie because prior to the permission to raise commercial taxes, the city was expressly prohibited from doing so.
Pantalone: Bold face liar. He said Toronto reduced the commercial taxes by 3% last year. The reality is they raised them by 1%. From 98-03 there was no increase. Since the time Miller was elected they have increased every year. Joe seem like a nice guy, but he has about as much competency to run the city as a chia pet.
My Score Card reads,
Ford
Rossi
Thomson
Smitherman
Pantalone
hmm, that's hard to believe - I'm nearly 100% certain that Thomson platform includes lowering commerical rates - and she stated it many times and I thought it was even online in her platform (haven't checked).
I'd like to also say I watched the debate as well ... while as you may know I'm very much adamant about lowering commerical rates - quite frankly, he really doesn't strike me as a competent human being and I hope you can realize that. I think if you've watched him in council over the months you'd reach a similar conclusion. Again, his message is well understood, easy to relate to, and very agreeable to many (including my self) - and yes, I realize, it will take cuts and it may just be something we'll have to live with - but again, this isn't the person I want to bring in this new era or to reduce spending on the whole to lower commerical rates.
At this point, particularly with all this - anything but ford talk- I'm fairly confident Ford will win, really this fuels the fire for those who agree with his idea / message - again I find it hard to believe, as a person, forgetting his policies, he'd make a good mayor due to his lack of, well, conversation skills to say the least.
Here's my other theory - those who do not like Ford are likely to vote for one of the 3 candidates (Smith / Pants / Thoms) ... and maybe some who can see through Ford's message Rossi - for the first 3 in particular. While these 3 candidates set them selves apart to certain degree, they're similar to the common folk (not to sound arrogant here but by that I mean the 80% who don't really know anything other then what's reported on the news) and this includes many of those on the left ... they may really have no idea which of the 3 to go for - I'd say, it's likely many of the undecided voters are going to go with one of those 3 verse Ford - by a long shot.
Having said that, it may not be enough, particularly with this anything but ford front which I think will do the opposite of what they want.
In terms of my own personal preference, I can relate to Ford's message - but more from the commerical property tax front, not the general cut the waste and all politicians are just wasting money left right and center. So to me Thomson really strikes me as the best from both worlds.
