It had to happen: Toronto mayoral candidates suffer from debate overload
Last night, the inevitable finally occurred. With approximately one squillion debates scheduled for this municipal election, some of the candidates were late attending one debate (at the University of Toronto’s downtown campus) because they hadn’t yet left a previous debate (at Lawrence and Dufferin). This tragedy might have been avoided if all of the candidates could agree to some kind of multilateral disarmament on this front, but that seems unlikely.
The second debate (live-tweeted by the Globe and Mail‘s tireless Kelly Grant, who was forced to sit on the floor for part of it) was actually kind of novel: rather than the usual shoutfest where Rob Ford talks about the gravy train and everyone else tries to come up with new ways to call Ford on his talking points, the candidates sat down for one-on-one questions from John Tory, without whom no Toronto political event is complete. There were also statements from the audience, which led to some interesting moments, such as these from the Globe live blog:
“This is a conversation among friends,” Rocco A says. Someone shouts, “You’re not my friend!” Tough crowd.
What would you do for affordable housing? [Sarah Thomson] blames prob on poor planning, wants more mixed income and portable rent subsidies. Sarah calls TCHC “the worst landlord in the city.” Audience member calls her on it. “That’s not true!”
But really, less and less is being gleaned about the candidates through the endless rounds of debate. In fact, the candidates appear to be increasingly worn out by them. George Smitherman raised the issue last week during the debate at Pinewoods, and his campaign manager tweeted that they get hell when they object to the schedule.
It’s tempting to mention that there will be a ton of arguments waiting for them in the mayor’s office, too, but that would just be mean.
I do not feel that I am gaining any more insight into the mayoral candidates. Each debate appears to be a regurgitation of the previous, with (especially Thomson, Ford and Rossi) spewing the same repetitive slogans and minimal examples ad nauseum. Thomson is unable to talk about anything but subways. She goes on and on about her “experience” yet can give no examples except for a gas station business she had almost 20 years ago and a magazine that makes no money and has never even provided her with a pay cheque in 8+years! I guess she feels being able to motivate gas jockeys to keep a station clean, smile and ask if the customer would like chips or juice with that, leaves her the ideal candidate for Mayor. Ford’s “stop the gray train”, while endearing those dissatisfied with the status quo, is getting tiring, like that of a one-hit-wonder that receives too much air time. Rossi, though more diverse, is also beginning to wear thin with his over-rehearsed delivery and toothy smile. It appears that candidates (Thomson in particular) is hell-bent on being all things to all people. This is not realistic, and also highlights that fact that her desire to run IS based on being “popular” and not about being driven by a desire to implement a strong platform. Thomson also admits to being a type-A personality given to taking over, while also preaches of her ability to build consensus. Maybe someone should explain to her that forcing people to agree is not “consensus”. I also find it ironic that Thomson has now used the word “scary” in two articles. First when referring to her love of scary things and secondly, when referring to Rob Ford. Rest assured TO, we should all be VERY scared is Ms. Thomson were to be elected.
Oh Toronto, is this REALLY the best we have?
With a heavy heart.
CC
Debate overload hits when the debaters have said all they can about the topics important to them.
I have attended about 5 of the debates and nothing new has been added, however they do seem to try to pander to the particular crowd they are speaking to.
People such as myself are given short shrift by the mainstream media thus proving Marshall’s point. The people of the city have been dumbed down by the overload of manure they are fed everyday that they are unable to try and look elsewhere for direction.
I keep saying that the city will elect the mayor it deserves no matter who wins, since the only people willing to make the effort to vote will do so. This is a democracy afterall and we are not required to vote. If people are unwilling to find out for themselves about other’ less well known candidates it is there loss and the cities It is truly sad that about only 10% of the eligible voters will elect the mayor. Because of the level of apathy everyone will suffer from pollution, congestion and poorly managed projects and environmental mistakes. Transit city will continue to use streetcars and unneeded subway lines will be built to appease some of the whiners and The Queen St congestion will continue.The war on cars being waged by the stupid will continue unabated and costly recycling will flourish.
I am doing my best to get people interested but no one cares enough to help out. The city seems to prefer a loud mouthed fool to an introverted genius.