As noble a pursuit as politics may be, many of the city’s best and brightest clearly believe it’s easier to get things done outside of city hall.

Contrast that to the United States, where Rahm Emanuel recently announced he was leaving his job as White House chief of staff to run for mayor of Chicago, a city with a $654.7-million deficit.

“He’s going to Chicago because he knows he can get things done,” said Mr. Dutil. “In Toronto, you just don’t have that guarantee.”

The American “strong mayor system” gives office holders executive power, while in Canada, city council holds the reins, with the mayor getting one vote, just like everyone else.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Miller insists ordinary voters aren’t angry, although every public opinion poll says they are. He points out that he kept every promise he made.  He cites a 2-month-old poll showing he’d be winning if he were in the race.

The 51-year-old lawyer sounds like a fading celebrity who can’t fathom why his fans have scattered. The more he says, the more out of touch he seems.

Read the rest of the column here.

“Though the outcome of the 2006 election was predictable, looking closely at the results reveals some interesting facts. David Miller, often regarded as a mayor who mostly represents downtown interests, managed to win a considerable chuck of votes in the suburbs–suggesting progressive candidates stand a chance in the outer city (something Rob Ford supporters might not want to admit).”

Read the rest of the post here.

“Surely, after seven years in power, it’s time for Miller to bury the axe. Absent reconciliation, the mayor should have kept his nose out of this election, as most self-respecting retiring leaders do upon leaving office. Rather, his subtext-laden endorsement — reminded me of how the festering Jean Chretien/Paul Martin feud injected a very damaging sort of poison into the veins of Liberal party.”

Read the rest of his thoughts here.

“While Mr. Miller was making his passionate case for Mr. Pantalone, Jennifer Koddermann, the executive director of the Canadian Club of Toronto, sent an e-mail at 11:15 a.m. officially cancelling Mr. Miller’s speech.

“I wanted to make you aware that the Mayor Miller event has been canceled [sic] due to low ticket sales [19 in total],” she wrote.

“Mayor Miller’s office is in support of this decision and it is felt all around that perhaps with the mayoral elections the timing was not the best.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Related: David Miller’s more out of touch than ever: Levy (Toronto Sun)

“Miller had long maintained his distance from the race, saying before Labour Day he wasn’t going to intervene. But with Pantalone desperate for a boost, lagging behind frontrunners Rob Ford and George Smitherman, it appears it’s Miller time once again.

Pantalone’s spokesman Mike Smith was tight-lipped Wednesday about who’s endorsing his candidate.

“We are looking at receiving an endorsement that will completely settle any discussion about who the real progressive candidate is in this race,” Smith told the Sun. “It really is going to put to rest people’s speculations.”

Read the rest of the article here.

But what about Ford’s plan?

If you’re voting for Ford because of his transit plan, think again. If you’re voting for Ford for his well-refined budget, give your head a shake. If you’re looking to stir up the leadership of this city, Ford’s your man. Although, Smitherman and Rocco Rossi would likely be a lot different than David Miller, too.”

Read the rest of his column here.

“Torontonians are tired of a mayor who believes that amalgamation never happened, and that the real Toronto remains the downtown core while the rest of the megacity is just a dormitory agglomeration of houses and corner stores. The push for change is coming from suburbanites who want to put an end to the perception they are no more than a legislative nuisance.”

Read the rest of the article here.

“Departing Mayor David Miller sent media pulses racing Friday when he wandered through City Hall on nomination day with a wad of cash in his hand.

But no, the two-term mayor was not changing his mind and putting down his $200 registration fee only minutes before the 2 p.m. cutoff — he just wanted to get reporters’ attention so he could underline the importance of casting a vote on Oct. 25.

“We’re having an extremely important election this fall,” Miller said.

“This city has been building over the past seven years…and we need a Toronto that succeeds for everybody.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Related: After last-minute tease, Miller is not entering the race (BlogTO)

Also: David Miller to Toronto: Psych! (Inside City Hall)