Rob Ford predicts mayoral election will be “war”

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is predicting the next eight months of election campaigning “will be a war.”

“I just can’t wait to get it on,” Ford told Etobicoke-based radio station Z103.5 Thursday morning, during an appearance with his brother, councillor Doug Ford, that covered everything from his candidacy to the brothers’ Valentine’s Day plans to the constant media coverage.

Ford took aim at a number of people, particularly Olivia Chow and John Tory, whose mayoral candidacy is considered highly likely, but not yet official.

“Stop talking about running and run,” said the mayor, giving credit to David Soknacki for registering early before calling him a “complete disaster.”

Ford said he welcomes the competition, in particular because the brothers doubt they’ll lose.

“Things are rocking in this city,” Doug said. “They’re (the other candidates) going to get personal because they have no record to run on and (Rob) has a record.”

The mayor also encouraged anyone interested in running for council to get in touch. “I need 23 votes,” he said of council. “Right now, I might realistically have 10.”

The lack of current support is because Ford “pulled their hands out of the cookie jar,” Doug said. “The gravy train’s back on again.”

“These people want to spend it like drunken sailors,” the mayor agreed, “We’re cleaning house … and I’m going to continue on for Ford more years.”

Despite the constant media attention, the mayor told listeners he doesn’t consider himself a celebrity.

Photos were making the rounds online Thursday morning after the Fords, including brother Randy, were spotted at Gravity nightclub Wednesday night and several members of the media converged.

“Wherever I go, within seconds … boom,” the mayor said, adding, “they can follow me all they want.”

While the city’s top job is sometimes mentally draining, he said it’s the people that keep him going.

“I ignore the polls. I know what the people are thinking,” he said. “I don’t want to sound conceited but I just get mobbed by people.”

The mayor said he plans to have Valentine’s dinner with his wife and a friend, while Doug said he’ll be alone since his wife and daughters will be in Florida.

But no matter what, the mayor said, taxpayers can call him anytime, any day.

“When taxpayers say jump, I say how high.”