“In the coming election, the likes of which Toronto has not seen in some time if ever, the mainstream game will be based on two key plays: A continuing attempt to put down the more conservative candidates, Rob Ford and Rocco Rossi, and the promotion of George Smitherman as the liberal man who can stave off the union-clean-up and essential fiscal reform the city needs.”

Read the rest of his column here.

“For instance, when Miller said this about the debate over Toronto’s new zoning bylaw – a giant document that literally shapes the future of the city on a block-by-block level, he replied: “It’s been 13 years since amalgamation. Don’t you think it’s time we had a zoning bylaw?”

Ford would probably say, “Yeah that was a tough one.”

Read the rest of the column here.

“Most Torontonians, Miller said, stand firmly behind him and his legacy of “massive” investment in city-building projects — in spite of the rise of Rob Ford, an anti-Miller leading the pack to replace him.

“I think the public knows people say all kinds of ridiculous things in campaigns,” Miller said during an interview Wednesday in his City Hall office.

“There’s broad support in Toronto for environmental initiatives. There’s broad support for initiatives that make sure the people who have the least have a chance, particularly young people. There’s broad support for building transit, for Ottawa and Queen’s Park investing in this city.”

Read the rest of the article here.

“Of 400 people who participated in the Ipsos Reid telephone survey, 39% said they would choose Mr. Miller over any of the competition, while 58% said they would select another candidate even if Mr. Miller was in the race.

Conducted on behalf of the National Post, Global Television and Newstalk 1010 from Friday to Sunday, the poll shows the power of incumbency, experts say, but also highlights a void on the left.”

Read the rest of the article here.

“People keep asking me that question,” he told reporters today at the Water’s Edge Promenade and Canada’s Sugar Beach, cornerstones of the city’s waterfront revitalization. “On days like today, where you see the results of several years of hard work and I know behind the scenes what it took to push to make this happen, you’re obviously tempted,” he said, letting the speculation hang.

Pressed on whether that means he is reconsidering, he said: “No. But I gotta have some fun with you.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Related: It’s Miller Time (Hall Pass)

“He swept into power in 2003 promising to clean up corruption and incompetence at city hall and to reverse the city’s decline that started in the 1980s.  An honest look at his record shows he did just that — and more.

Indeed, despite the criticism being heaped on him — plenty of it deserved — Miller arguably has been the best Toronto mayor in the past 30 years.”

Read the rest of his column here. 

“Even if all three of the three councillors running for mayor lose the election to a council outsider, they still win golden parachutes.  Councillors Giorgio Mammoliti and Joe Pantalone each would get a full-year’s pay. Pantalone told the Sun’s editorial board in February he’s also eligible to collect his council pension.Councillor Rob Ford would get the smallest severance package of the trio, because he was elected to council only 10 years ago, worth 10 months pay.

Ford called the payout “too lucrative” and bizarrely structured when you consider Ootes spent more than 20 years on council and his severance pay is almost equal to that of Giambrone, who was elected only in 2003.”

Read the rest of the article here.

“For some reason, however, the incumbent is refusing to give the sole pro-Transit City candidate the space to run with the ball. Instead, the funding fight is all about David Miller. It’s his voice on the PA system, his op-ed in NOW, his interviews with the broadcast media, his lapel button.

Pantalone’s job, it seems, is to go along for the ride, and make the right noises if anyone happens to ask his opinion, which, given the present dynamic, is unlikely.”

Read the rest of his column here.

“I find it as difficult to trust a candidate who represents only the status quo as I do those candidates who think that everything that Mr. Miller did was wrong and terrible. “More of the same and better than the other guys,” isn’t a platform; I find myself consulting a thesaurus for the best possible antonym for “inspiring” (I like “discouraging”).

Read the rest of his thoughts here.