Smitherman & Trudeau

I can count on one hand the times in my life that I have felt the urge to mobilize and get involved in a political situation.  The first happened when I was living in L.A..  Bush was running against Gore.  The lines were deeply drawn in the sand and each person represented a very different ideology.  The weeks and days leading up to the vote were tense and the entire nation was glued to the news stations watching as they two raced to the finish line.  Then, four years later, when Bush ran against Kerry a similar fascination occurred.  Only this time, when the tallies were counted, everyone rolled their eyes and braced for the worst.

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The Beginning of Enza Campaign

Today marks a unique day in Toronto. Enza Anderson (http://www.enzaanderson.ca) is running for political office. However, this time she means serious business. If you are like me you have followed Anderson’s political career with a “one-eye” open interest. Back in the early stages of her political life, Enza “Supermodel” Anderson was about headlines. The most shocking which sent soundbite heaven around the world was Anderson running for the head of the Alliance Party. As they say in the media business, “one minute you’re the EXTRA! EXTRA! The next minute a 90 year old woman rescues a cat out of a tree.” That’s exactly what happened to Anderson and her political asperations.

Now after a few years in the quasi-spotlight through her red hot column in Metro News, dropping the “Supermodel” middle name, and being Canada’s first openly transsexual front-line, Customer Service Rep. at the Bank of Montreal (http://www.bmo.com) she is now ready to step out again. Having knowing Anderson personally I asked her once, “what the hardest obstacle you will face in your campaign?” With a straight face Anderson looked at me and replied, “getting people to take me seriously. Since I ran for the Alliance Party no one will take me seriously. I have a new outlook on issues which affect the riding I am running in. I want a chance to show I am not only a transsexual, I am a woman who means business.”

Anderson’s campaign kicked off today at Just Desserts on Yonge Street where many people attended to lend there support, myself included. It is important to listen to Anderson’s view of how she would run Toronto Centre – Rosedale – Ward 27 which is one of the most important council ridings in Toronto. You will notice I did not report on what Anderson wore as she would not want the focus to be on her outfit but the issues she stands for. I found it amazing during Hilary Clinton’s campaign journalists cared more about what she wore than what she stood for. Go Enza and kick ass in high heels!!!!

Well, since last I wrote about this, the political landscape has shifted. Current Mayor David Miller has announced he will not be seeking a third term in office. Prognosticators and pundits have been weighing in on Miller’s legacy – and who will succeed him.

I reported recently that George Smitherman (current deputy premier and Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure) had made some noise about possibly running for the coveted office. Since then, Smitherman has been coy about his intentions, saying only that he is exploring the idea. Read the full story

Toronto mayor David Miller is not doing well in the polls these days. Most blame his handling (or lack thereof) of the recent CUPE strike that left mountains of garbage piled up around the city, babies without daycare and other city services suspended while he seemingly naval-gazed.

Now, news media are reporting there is a possible contender for Toronto mayor in the next civic elections: MPP, Deputy Premier and all around gay man George Smitherman. Smitherman will most likely do much better with the polls than Miller. Read the full story