Why is Rob Ford being supported by workers?

[L.A.P.]

I'm watching this CNN report about people in Toronto defending and taking pictures with Rob Ford, and they all seem to be working class people. Not rural white workers that often support such right-wing politicians, but African-American and other non-white inner city urban workers who are defending him. Is there something about the crack smoking affair that makes this vehemently anti-worker politician look "down to Earth" to the urban working class?





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[Ocean Seal]

To be honest, this is halfways from being a joke, but consider this. He's a right-wing politician who has black friends (you have no idea how much this has surprised me). He's clearly more in touch with the people than most right wingers. This is contradicted by his statements however. I don't know I guess he must have been quite popular before.

[ed miliband]

for anyone interested:

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/18/world/weir-reporters-notebook/

it's a good article, worth a read. the whole situation is fascinating in every respect.

lol:


"What I always say is, there are more poor people than rich people and I stick up for the poor people."

[Crabbensmasher]

I've said this before, but I think it's just his family. They're into everything, from petty drug dealing to politics. Like, even if you don't know Rob Ford, you might know his brother, his friends, his associates, his extended family etc.

It kind of shatters the image of the elite living in a high palace. It doesn't excuse the fact though, that they're still goddamn rich. I've known people like that though. Very wealthy, but still well connected with regular inner-city elements. Kind of a double life.

Apart from that, people like the image of a politician who makes mistakes. He's the usual beer drinking, overweight, loud-mouthed everyman. People think they can relate to that. Of course it's stupid as hell, but I guess the illusion works on some people.

[RedStarOverChina]

A white guy from rich family mascarading as a representative of the poor.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

I think a key point missing here is the way that the "anti-Ford" discourse has been dominated by bourgeois liberals and sickening moralism. Liberal media discourse that slags off Ford for being an "overweight" drunk who smoked crack once just isn't going to resonate with working class people who don't live their lives in a rose-tinted liberal fantasy world of healthy lifestyles and "a glass of wine with dinner". As long as criticism of Ford is by-and-large condescending self-rightous clap-trap, working class people will recognize it as such, and side with Ford against the Star-clique.
Taking a long historical view, it should be obvious that this is how "conservative populism" (aka fascism) works, and the complicit role of the "liberal bourgeoisie" and labour aristocracy in smashing the only effective resistance - revolutionary communist struggle. I expect a city council more dominated by Ford-cronies (even if Ford loses his seat) after the next election, unless a real grassroots struggle emerges in Toronto. Of course, that's something that most of Ford's ostensible political opponents want even less than they want Ford, so, y'know, we'll see . . .

For a contrast with The Toronto Star, and meaningful takes on the political situation in Toronto, I highly recommend BASICS Community News Service (http://basicsnews.ca/).

[Sinister Cultural Marxist]

I think a key point missing here is the way that the "anti-Ford" discourse has been dominated by bourgeois liberals and sickening moralism. Liberal media discourse that slags off Ford for being an "overweight" drunk who smoked crack once just isn't going to resonate with working class people who don't live their lives in a rose-tinted liberal fantasy world of healthy lifestyles and "a glass of wine with dinner". As long as criticism of Ford is by-and-large condescending self-rightous clap-trap, working class people will recognize it as such, and side with Ford against the Star-clique.
Taking a long historical view, it should be obvious that this is how "conservative populism" (aka fascism) works, and the complicit role of the "liberal bourgeoisie" and labour aristocracy in smashing the only effective resistance - revolutionary communist struggle. I expect a city council more dominated by Ford-cronies (even if Ford loses his seat) after the next election, unless a real grassroots struggle emerges in Toronto. Of course, that's something that most of Ford's ostensible political opponents want even less than they want Ford, so, y'know, we'll see . . .

For a contrast with The Toronto Star, and meaningful takes on the political situation in Toronto, I highly recommend BASICS Community News Service (http://basicsnews.ca/).

See, if it was a politician who didn't support the use of police to harass poor crack users, I'd see that as credible. You can't play tough on crime then do the very think your employees are throwing poor black people in jail for.

Also, saying "Sorry I did crack I was completely drunk" really is just a shit excuse. It's not moralism to say that :P

[The Intransigent Faction]

See, if it was a politician who didn't support the use of police to harass poor crack users, I'd see that as credible. You can't play tough on crime then do the very think your employees are throwing poor black people in jail for.

His thoughts on how to deal with crack addicts, from 2005:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/11/05/rob-ford-crack-cocaine-interview_n_4221622.html


Also, saying "Sorry I did crack I was completely drunk" really is just a shit excuse. It's not moralism to say that :P

That's not exactly the point, though. The entire framing of discussion of Rob Ford has been so overflowed by discussions of his alcohol and drug abuse as a moral issue.

For instance, Jason Kenney recently said to CBC that Rob "I think Mr. Ford has brought dishonour to public office". This from a guy who fucking cut health care for refugees. It doesn't excuse Rob Ford, but it does demonstrate the absurdity of how the entire issue is framed in the media.

As for his popularity, it seems to be a mix of his social conservatism and generic right-wing campaign rhetoric. Seriously, "Stop the Gravy Train"? Doesn't get much more generic than that.

He frames himself as a defender of 'the little guy' standing up to snobby detached liberal elites at city hall. When the media is flooded with stories attacking him for substance and alcohol abuse and he's shown with reporters swarming around his car as returns home with dry cleaning, his anti-working class policies in terms of cutbacks for instance are sidelined if not outright ignored for their lack of sensationalism, and since these images define most of what people see he's able to project a sort of image as a 'victim' (though his politics are awful, so are the tabloid journalists).

In short, his support, rather ironically like the very scandal hounding him, draws from a moralizing political framework. It also helps to explain how his approval rating went up when the scandal started: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rob-ford-approval-goes-up-despite-video-scandal-1.2335743

[RO17]

A white guy from rich family mascarading as a representative of the poor.
I am sorry, what is wrong with someone being white? What does white imply? That you are greedy? Money hungry? Void of feelings? Do you have to be an ethnic minority in a country in order to have feelings for the poor and exploited? I thought we cared about the equality of all, not having a double standard and excluding certain groups based on past prejudices.

[Ocean Seal]

See, if it was a politician who didn't support the use of police to harass poor crack users, I'd see that as credible. You can't play tough on crime then do the very think your employees are throwing poor black people in jail for.

This makes sense, however it is not immediately obvious to most people. His thoughts on crack cocaine don't take away from the fact that the critique against him is liberal, bourgeois and moralist and has little to do with his policies or statements.


Also, saying "Sorry I did crack I was completely drunk" really is just a shit excuse. It's not moralism to say that :P
I don't think that's what the above poster was arguing.

[bcbm]

I am sorry, what is wrong with someone being white? What does white imply? That you are greedy? Money hungry? Void of feelings? Do you have to be an ethnic minority in a country in order to have feelings for the poor and exploited? I thought we cared about the equality of all, not having a double standard and excluding certain groups based on past prejudices.

i think you're reading a bit too much into that. nobody is 'excluding' white people, sheesh

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

He's a loud-mouthed reactionary idiot. Sadly, that kind of populism appeals to many workers.

[tachosomoza]

Bill Clinton was the same way, only instead of smoking crack and going on horrible rants, he cheated on his wife. People of color still love him.

[The Jay]

It could be that the working class just loves a good troll on the petty bourgeois's sensibilities.

[Althusser]

It could be that the working class just loves a good troll on the petty bourgeois's sensibilities.

So do I. I'd vote for Ford after all this craziness.

[goalkeeper]

Like Walter White, he's an existential hero.

[Sinister Cultural Marxist]

So do I. I'd vote for Ford after all this craziness.

Despite being a physically and verbally aggressive chauvinist pig who despite being a crack user himself does crack when drunk?


Like Walter White, he's an existential hero.

At least Walter White was a genius who made something of quality.

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

Guys, consider the following:

NRdXOr-uYlU

^That is why I like Rob Ford.

[Hibernicus]

People know deep down (perhaps subconsciously) that this form of "democracy" is a waste of time and a joke... why not treat it as such?

[Aware]

I am sorry, what is wrong with someone being white? What does white imply? That you are greedy? Money hungry? Void of feelings? Do you have to be an ethnic minority in a country in order to have feelings for the poor and exploited? I thought we cared about the equality of all, not having a double standard and excluding certain groups based on past prejudices.
If you didn't notice, the original post stated that, notably, there were black supporters.

[piet11111]

The established politicians hate the guy because he makes a mockery of the entire political system by his buffoonery.

Clearly he is a rightwing bastard but if he is taking such a massive shit on the systems credibility i can only laugh.
Him being in office seems to cause a crisis on a frequent basis and that can only weaken the political authority.