Rob Ford election: a lesson for pro-life, pro-family politicians
November 1, 2010
On election night, Rob Ford’s victory astonished the mainstream media and almost all the pollsters. They predicted a neck-in-neck race between Ford, a “right-wing” conservative, and the openly gay George Smitherman. Contrary to media predictions, Ford won a whopping 47.1% of the votes, leaving Smitherman in the proverbial dust with 35.6% of the vote.
Toronto’s 2010 mayoral race contains a valuable lesson for pro-family and pro-life politicians who are timid about stating their position on moral issues during the campaign. What’s the lesson? Don’t be ashamed of your beliefs. State them clearly, unapologetically and skilfully. Not only won’t it hurt you, it might just help you win!
Earlier in the campaign, Ford had skilfully handled an attempt by the media to paint him as ‘anti-gay’. He did so without sacrificing his principles and without denying his beliefs. He had been asked by reporters about his view on gay ‘marriage’. Ford did not stumble, fumble or try to run away from the question. Instead he responded clearly and unapologetically that, “I support traditional marriage. I always have… I’m not worried about what people do in their private life. I look out for taxpayers’ money.”
Following that media scrum, Ford’s communications director, Adrienne Batra, was again asked by the media about Ford’s view on gay ‘marriage’. Consistent with her boss’ unapologetic response, she said that Rob “has clearly acknowledged his belief in a traditional, heterosexual definition of marriage”. She added “You tell me how that impacts municipal policy and how it impacts accountability to the taxpayers of Toronto? It absolutely doesn't.”
Yet another Ford surrogate, when questioned by the media about Rob’s comments, responded that the majority of Torontonians “probably agree” with Ford’s view on the definition of marriage. This was very clever (and true). It effectively sent the message that Ford’s belief is not controversial and in fact, it is a mainstream belief.
Toronto is known as one of the most liberal, most pro-gay cities in Canada. Yet, the conservative, pro-marriage Rob Ford still easily won. In fact, it’s reasonable to assume that Ford’s bold, consistent, straight forward answer on this moral issue helped win him the social conservative and immigrant vote. It might even have contributed to his significant victory margin.
Over the years, CLC has talked to many politicians who told us, “Look, I’m pro-life but I’m not willing to talk about it publicly. The media would demonize me and it would hurt my chance of being elected.”
That’s not what the Ford campaign showed us. He captured 47.1% of the vote, dashing the predictions (and hopes) of the mainstream media. Of course, we recognize that Ford was elected primarily on his platform to reduce taxes and wasteful spending at City Hall. But one has to acknowledge that his belief in the heterosexual definition of marriage did not hurt his election campaign, even though Toronto is one of the most gay-friendly places in Canada. In fact it may have helped.
We encourage those pro-life politicians who are afraid to speak out on social issues, to learn the lesson from this effective Rob Ford campaign.
Note: CLC is not implying that Ford is himself pro-life. He has never responded to our questionnaires, so his position is unknown. Nonetheless, his approach on the marriage issue is still instructive.
© Copyright of Campaign Life Coalition, Nov. 1, 2010