Tim Hudak barely utters the name of his former barbecue buddy, Toronto mayor Rob Ford

Yesterday, reporters had to lob six questions at Tim Hudak about Rob Ford before the Progressive Conservative leader would even mention the Toronto mayor’s name. It might come as a surprise that Hudak is distancing himself from Ford, especially when he’s busy lamenting the grip that gridlock and swollen government have on Ontario citizens (in other words, tried and tested Ford talking points). Hudak even said a Conservative government would “end the war on the car.” Of course, to align himself with Ford now would be to join forces with a mayor whose unpopularity has reached such levels that it’s screwing up his circadian rhythms. And try as Hudak might to keep his distance from Ford, the mayor’s recurring spot on the front page could make it easy for Liberal strategists to convince many voters that the two men are one and the same. It’s enough to make Hudak pine for the carefree days of early September, when things were all photo ops and Ford family barbecues. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »