Really, George? That's the best you can do?

Terrific post from Cityslikr over at All Fired Up in the Big Smoke, defiantly taking George Smitherman to task for his arrogant and cynical strategy of wooing progressive voters by arguing that a vote for Joe Pantalone will put Rob Ford in the mayor's chair. I was disgusted enough by the sleazy sense of entitlement he was displaying on Metro Morning today, but this is, as they say, the cherry on the sundae.


I won't bother repeating Cityslikr's arguments here. His analysis is clear and persuasive, so I'd urge you to go read it over there.

But it's worth noting what Smitherman's strategy boils down to: hold your nose and vote for me, because I'm the only one who can stop Ford.

Yo, George? Spare us the fearmongering and cynicism. I'm voting for the candidate who would make the best mayor, and that ain't you. You've tacked all over the map during this campaign, swinging right to try and capitalize on the stupid rage that Ford's been tapping into, making the same suggestions about cutting taxes and scaling back on services and not replacing staff, so don't insult our intelligence by claiming to be progressive. Frankly, if it comes down to a choice between you and Rob Ford, I'd rather see Ford win. At least he won't have a hope in hell of implementing his agenda.

Update: All kinds of Harrisites lining up behind George "Vote for me because ... because ... well, I'm not Rob Ford" Smitherman. Want to tell us again about how progressive you are, George? H/t Thor and Torontoist.