“Jodi Shanoff, an Angus Reid senior vice-president, said the poll’s 36 per cent of undecided respondents shows “this race isn’t over yet” despite Ford’s “significant” lead. “I believe many voters and observers continue to believe some kind of an implosion is coming.”” (Toronto Star, David Rider, Sept. 23)

“As is always the case with the politics of anger, those who support Ford are also those who will suffer by him. You get what you pay for, but lower taxes mean fewer services; and it’s the poor who need them most.” (Toronto Star, Christopher Hume, Sept. 23)

“But no one’s listening…As long as he and the electorate remain focused on the anger — and the fear that underlines it — the debate need go no further.” (Toronto Star, Christopher Hume, Sept. 23)

“On the other hand, unlike the majority of his supporters, Ford doesn’t lose sleep over money. “I don’t need this job,” he assured Galloway. “I have been very fortunate in life.” He was referring to the fact that he is a rich man thanks to Daddy (Douglas Ford)” (Toronto Star, Christopher Hume, Sept. 23)

“Smitherman still hasn’t given voters a clear idea of why he wants to be mayor — other than the job of premier wasn’t available.” (Toronto Sun, Editorial, Sept. 23)

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Part of a continuing series:

Ms. Bussin has come under fire this term for using tax dollars to sue a constituent, for calling John Tory a “three-time loser” on his radio show without identifying herself and for supporting a sole-sourced, 20-year contract for the Boardwalk Pub.

When she tried to defend Tuggs Inc., owner of the pub, as a “star operator,” the audience yelled “Baloney!” and “Sit down! Sit down!”

Her opponents also tore into her for voting against city staff’s advice to put operation of the pub out to competitive tender back in 2006.

Sandra Bussin is one of the worst elected represntatives I have ever encountered.  Ever.

If you live in the Beach, as I do, the two candidates who most deserve your vote are Martin Gladstone or Mary-Margaret McMahon.

Vote!

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Ohio’s Democratic party chairman, Chris Redfern, recently said at a campaign event what most Democratic chairmen dream of saying: He is sick of these Tea Party “f**kers.”

A man after my own heart.

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Takes about a minute to do so, here. (I did it.)  Get your PAL or POL, in a few minutes, here (did that, too).  These folks will be grateful.

Okay?   Can we all talk about something else, now?  Thanks.

Good night.

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What an astonishing and powerful story this is. I, for one, did not know.

It is powerful journalism, too.  Kudos to Susan.

(And be very careful in comments, please.  I’m not going tolerate anything that goes after Scott or his family.)

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Huge! My friend Patrick Parisot is the new Principal Secretary in Michael Ignatieff’s office, and that is a huge score for the Liberal leader.  Patrick will be a huge asset on both the Quebec and comms files, where help is needed, hugely.

I like the word “huge.”  It is huge.

And, yes, it is hugely possible that I am losing my mind.

UPDATE: I, too, like Mike. Better.

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My family is very sad to hear that Sindi has passed away. She was one of my Dad’s students, and he was so proud of her and her accomplishments.  When I was in B.C., Sindi and I worked together on the ’96 campaign – and she was a big supporter when I made my losing bid for the federal seat in North Van.

R.I.P., Sindi, and our condolences to your family.  You were a fighter.

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I’ll be on CBC-TV’s Power and Politics this evening with my pals Monte Solberg and Brad Lavigne, talking about the return of Parliament.  Here’s some of the stuff I may say, taken from this morning’s Hill Times:

KINSELLA: I want to believe Tim. I really do. But here’s the problem: on the evening of Sept. 15, I am reliably informed—when a minority of churlish Ottawa scribes were cackling about the departure of my friend Kory Teneycke—an interesting conference call took place.

The conference call involved senior folks within the Conservative Party. These folks were told to be prepared for an election call that could come as soon as Oct. 1. I shit you not.

The fact that this call took place at all is perplexing. For example, the polls suggest there is a rather excellent chance that the Harper Reformatories could, well, you know, lose the election. I mean, call me crazy—and plenty do—but why would evil strategic genius Stephen Harper do something as unstrategic as that?

Fear.

The tall foreheads within the Conservative Party—and there are some—fear a number of things. First and foremost, they fear the economy getting worse again. The jobs’ numbers, the housing numbers, and the grim economic data emanating from the U.S. portend that bad times may be here again.

Secondly, the Reformatory brain trust— an oxymoron, I know, but bear with me— fear further slippage in public opinion polls if they wait too long. The Great Summer of 2010 Census Debacle—which should have never become as big a deal as it did— showed the Conservatives that the country is growing weary of their modus operandi: nasty, brutish and short-sighted.

Thirdly and finally, I believe the Conservative Party has started to fear Michael Ignatieff. His summer long bus tour was not the unmitigated disaster they had hoped and predicted it would be. Instead, the tour revealed the Liberal leader to be rather adept on the hustings, with a manner that increasing numbers of voters were warming up to.

That all said, do I believe that an election is imminent? God knows.

But it sure is fun to endlessly speculate about it with my buddies Powers and Lavigne in the pages of The Hill Times!

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Periodically, I post little gems from the archives that remind everyone about what a complete moron Jonathan Kay is. Here’s another one that is fun to read, over and over. Way to go, Jon! The paper’s libel insurers don’t like you, but we do!

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I have always said NDP MP Peter Stoffer is a stand-up guy. He’s also walking, talking proof for the proposition that when progressive MPs work together, we can defeat Conservatives.

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