Sunday the Toronto Star announced its vote for mayor: George Smitherman.[i] Today both Smitherman and Ford are neck and neck in the polls with only a week until Election Day.
“The poll also found that so-called strategic voting has taken hold, with 21 per cent of Torontonians backing one candidate to ensure another doesn’t get elected,” reads one of today’s Star articles. In fact 40% of those voting for Smitherman are doing so for this reason. It is no longer about who citizens want in office, but more who they don’t want. Even Smitherman has jumped on this tactic, warning that, “A vote for Joe Pantalone is a vote for Rob Ford.” [ii]
“The poll also found that so-called strategic voting has taken hold, with 21 per cent of Torontonians backing one candidate to ensure another doesn’t get elected,” reads one of today’s Star articles. In fact 40% of those voting for Smitherman are doing so for this reason. It is no longer about who citizens want in office, but more who they don’t want. Even Smitherman has jumped on this tactic, warning that, “A vote for Joe Pantalone is a vote for Rob Ford.” [ii]
Admittedly apathetic until my first public affairs class in 2008, I am gradually becoming more informed about Canadian politics. Following Toronto’s current municipal election campaign I began to question whether my views on candidates were my own or simply reflections of my informant—the Toronto Star. Although the newspaper only recently announced its pick, its vote has been evident in its pages since day one.
I chose to make my vote my own—expanding my sources to make a more informed decision. By watching debate coverage, such as TVO’s debate segment on The Agenda with Steve Paikin, I was able better understand candidate’s platforms.[iii] But more importantly, I was able to decipher their personalities to assess who will best lead our city born on the motto, “Diversity: Our Strength.”
I consciously chose to make my vote my own and now let you make yours.
[i]The Toronto Star: “Star's choice: Smitherman for mayor”, editorial published Sunday, October 17, 2010 http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/876268--star-s-choice-smitherman-for-mayor
[ii] The Toronto Star: “Ford, Smitherman now tied with days until election, poll finds,” by David Rider published Monday, October 18, 2010 http://www.thestar.com/news/torontomayoralrace/article/876860--ford-smitherman-now-tied-with-days-until-election-poll-finds
[iii] TVO: The Agenda with Steve Paikin published September 7, 2010 http://www.tvo.org/TVO/WebObjects/TVO.woa?videoid?605552990001
Does anyone know why the first two paragraphs have a white background? If so, how do you fix this?
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