You are certainly right that Pantalone has not run an inspiring campaign. The “Things are just fine and I’ll be the gardener” message is obviously not resonating with the imaginations of the broader electorate. And yes, hypothetical polls have consistently shown that Miller would win if he ran, so the only logical conclusion to be drawn from these two facts is that Toronto voters are willing to elect a progressive candidate if he or she inspires, and not if not.

None of this helps me, personally, find the stomach to vote for a candidate who thinks we should apply Walmart’s business practices to the city though. I think I would rather spoil my ballot frankly. I’ll say the same thing next year when everyone is going ballistic about the potential of Hudak bringing back the Harris years in Ontario. I’m done voting out of fear and ready to vote consistently for the candidate that has the most reasonable platform that embraces inclusive and progressive (as opposed to regressive) values. Sometimes that will be for a soft-spoken gardener, and sometimes for a charismatic leader, i hope the principals of why I vote however remain the same.

1) A detailed investigation of the criteria that gave Smitherman an A+ from ArtsVote in comparison to Pantalone and Rossi. (ArtsVote and Torontoist are hosting an Election Night Party at Cadillac Lounge. If Smitherman wins, I predict the place will go ballistic. Get your seat early.)

2) An evidenced rebuttal of Smitherman’s progressive credentials.

I could go for ages, but neither is ultimately that helpful.

Anyways, I’m not unmoved by your argument Chris. Especially your final representative one, and I think at the end of the day it is the real reason that George Smitherman will win this election. We remember Mel Lastman in this town, and there is a social contract to act if something that embarrassing were to happen again. It has less to do with policy or politics and more to do with the type of person we tell our children they should look up to and should meet Obama at the airport and whatnot. This is why I don’t think voting is entirely rational or at least based on policy and why voter turnout at advance polls was so high this year.

I should also admit that last time there was an election I was the guy responsible for updating Department of Culture’s website on a daily basis, which consistently promoted strategic voting to prevent a Harper majority. For some reason it’s really rubbing me the wrong way this election though. I’m not sure why. I think it has something to do with the way social democrats are being consistently asked to abdicate their very reasonable and logical positions in favour of an alternate logic and reality determined by polls commissioned by interested parties and media conglomerates. It’s kinda total bullshit. 

As for Smitherman’s progressiveness, well equality, as you noted. But there’s also having a strong arts platform. Arts platforms aren’t really that popular amongst conservative candidates. His transportation plan is also pretty great. Sure the transit portion of it is no Transit City but there were things in Transit City that I wasn’t happy with either. But he’s got a workable plan. I know he’s putting a hold on new bike lanes but he’s also putting in curbs on existing ones. This would make it much safer, and I know loads of people who don’t bike because of safety. Curbed bike lanes would also mean no turning or parked cars in bike lanes.

There’s more but so far that’s equality, arts and complete transit. Sound progressive yet? Maybe not as progressive as Joe but as I mentioned in my earlier post George brings other things that Joe doesn’t.

I know I’m not going to convince you but George is a great option and there are lots of reasons to vote for him beyond stopping Ford. And while stopping Ford is not why I am voting for Smitherman, it is a good reason. A great reason. And if that’s why someone is supporting Smitherman they are not abandoning their principles or compromising their morals as some on Facebook and other social media have suggested. If you’re for something you’re against something else and I’m against Ford’s policies for sure (and his terrible math) but more than that, I’m against what he represents and how he would represent our city. Smitherman represents something entirely different and would represent our city in a different way.

But now I’ve tipped my hand haven’t I? One question: Other than being gay what makes Smitherman left-leaning? I see the word progressive on his campaign material and can’t seem to find any evidence in his platform?

Do you mean one’s own personal satisfaction? When Joe loses we, as a city, won’t get anything, and the people who voted for him won’t have achieved anything, save for the personal satisfaction and knowledge that they voted for him. But they might have helped put Ford in office. It’s not like if Joe and Smitherman get a certain amount of votes then Ford will only have a minority government. There is only one winner here. And it can’t be Ford.

When I vote for Smitherman I won’t be doing it while “holding my nose” and I certainly won’t be abandoning my principles either (there is some looking down the nose at the Smitherman supporters from Joe’s supporters here, which is a bit offensive). It’s true I’m not 100% behind George’s budget – selling assets to cover shortfalls is foolish (407 highway anyone?) but a mayor is not all fiscal policy – although Smitherman proved his budgetary skills as a Provincial Minister as the Health budget and the Energy and Infrastructure budget were both balanced during his tenure. And both were/are larger than the city’s budget. It’s leadership. It’s representing a city. It’s partnerships. To achieve anything you need strong ties to Queen’s Park and Smitherman’s got that in spades. And, since this is a theatre/art blog, here’s another reason I’m for Smitherman – http://artsvotetoronto.ca/mayoral-report-card/ – highest score out of all mayoral candidates.

Naheed Nenshi ran a great grass-roots campaign. But Calgary is also coming off a two term conservative mayor and push back is bound to happen, even in conservative central. Even still, it’s a great story. Another great story would be Toronto electing a left leaning, openly gay mayor.