“Mr. Ford ran a blunt campaign that fed an appetite for change. He responded to, as he put it in his victory speech last night, a popular sense that “enough is enough”. But now he is the one in a position of leadership. Mr. Ford’s ability, and frankly, willingness, to implement a strategy that reduces taxes, and constrains growth in spending, without jeopardizing social peace, will be put to the test. It requires an attention to detail and a desire to build the coalitions for change, traits and qualities he did not exhibit as councillor.”

Read the rest of the editorial here.

“He needs to extend a hand beyond the right-wing councillors who backed his campaign to the more progressive ones who opposed him. It would make sense for Ford to put at least one progressive councillor on the executive committee, lest they all line up in implacable opposition to him.

He needs to begin a dialogue with Premier Dalton McGuinty and the provincial Liberals. Ford campaigned on a platform to trash the province’s transit expansion plans and start all over again. Since almost all the money for transit is coming from the province, McGuinty will have something to say about that.”

Read the rest of the editorial here.

“The Toronto Sun also published its endorsement last Sunday, but went the other way, endorsing Rob Ford. The editorial argues he’s the only person who can tackle the big job of cleaning up the mess at City Council. Like the Star, the Sun was quite clear with its choice, but differed in acknowledging Ford’s weaknesses.

The Globe and Mail took a little more time in arriving at a conclusion, although it’s not clear whether the editorial team at 444 Front Street ever did form one. The Globe recognized that there are serious problems to be resolved, and embarked upon a thoughtful analysis of both candidates before tentatively recommending George Smitherman for his “ability to get things done.” Terming the platforms of both Ford and Smitherman as “unpersuasive and unsatisfactory,” the Globe concluded: “…Toronto should guardedly opt for George Smitherman.”

Read the rest of the post here.

“While the mayor leads council, when it comes to the actual voting, he’s just one voice of 45.

So, how did you like those other 44 votes, collectively, for the past two terms and seven years, which brought us, among other things, the new vehicle registration tax and the land-transfer tax?

If people want to put an end to the tax-and-spend mentality that has ruled City Hall since 2003, the only way to do it is to get out and vote Monday for candidates who will put taxpayers’ interests first.”

Read the rest of the editorial here.

“First of all, they allege that Smitherman is no better or actually worse than Ford. Miller has stated that Smitherman, like Ford, wants to “tear this city down.”

This is absurd. Smitherman is more progressive, more tolerant and more experienced in government than Ford. He has strong environmental credentials and would carry on much of Miller’s green legacy. He seeks to build this city up, not tear it down. Yes, he would impose restraints on spending, but only because the city has no choice.”

Read the rest of the editorial here.

“The major complaints against Smitherman: he wasted millions of taxpayer dollars by mismanaging eHealth, he negotiated an enormous sole-source deal with Samsung while energy minister, he leads by bullying rather than consensus. These are all very real black marks. But they are, at the least, black marks incurred while trying to build, to pursue new policies. Ford seeks only to stop, to cut, to do less. Whatever Smitherman’s sins, he is not guilty of the mortal one of wanting to dismantle the very thing our government was instituted to do: promote the common good.”

Read the rest of the post here.

The Globe and Mail Editorial Board has “cautiously” thrown its support behind mayoral candidate George Smitherman over opponent Rob Ford:

“Mr. Ford and Mr. Smitherman have similarly unpersuasive and unsatisfactory platforms. In the end, Mr. Smitherman’s ability to get things done makes him the better candidate; Torontonians may have to live in hope that he tries to do the right things, and that he comes to see the city’s financial predicament as the fight of his life. The electors of Toronto should guardedly opt for George Smitherman.”

Read the rest of the editorial here.

The Toronto Star Editorial Board has endorsed mayoral candidate George Smitherman, citing his government experience and determination:

“Smitherman’s sometimes pugilistic nature is often deplored by his opponents, who have nicknamed him “Furious George.” But there is another side to that coin: he can be tough-minded when he has to be. While rebuilding the health-care system in the wake of the Harris years, he also leaned hard on hospitals to balance their budgets. Today the hospitals salute Smitherman for being tough but fair.”

Read the rest of the editorial here.

The Toronto Star Editorial Board praises former mayoral candidate Rocco Rossi for his contribution to the electoral debate:

“Rossi’s candidacy was always something of a long-shot — especially after Rob Ford entered the fray and absorbed much of his expected support. But Rossi can take pride in waging a sincere and imaginative campaign that never stooped to mudslinging or vitriol.

If democracy is to work, talented people need to take a risk and run for elected office. Rossi did just that, with gusto, as did Sarah Thomson before she dropped out of the race in September. Both would probably have been better advised to run for council, given their low profiles and lack of experience in elected office.”

Read the rest of the editorial here.

“He seems content to be the “Mr. Nice Guy” of this race.

As he puts it, the most popular second choice of Ford and Smitherman supporters.

Well, being everybody’s second choice has him stalled in single digits or barely above and poised to finish where “Nice Guys” usually do.  Rossi’s a skilled businessman, negotiator and fundraiser, both for the federal Liberals and charities.

But, probably because he never ran for dogcatcher before running for mayor — a big mistake — he hasn’t been able to connect viscerally with voters, who are desperate for a champion to take a bulldozer to the status quo at City Hall.”

Read the rest of the editorial here.