It is indeed a popularity contest but I think part of that is also about who people trust more than the next person. People trust Ford more than the other wackos in the other parties. That usually changes over time regardless.The thing is, at this point politics has become a popularity contest. If you can win the people over you will get yourself voted in despite a total lack of suitability. I'm sure Doug Ford is a nice guy but he is beyond unqualified to handle the responsibilities of a Premiere. Tbh he's not even qualified to run a pet store as far as I'm concerned. It blows my mind that such a great country has such piss poor leadership. On all levels.
That's why today's politics use painting the opposition as "untrustworthy" more than anything else because that will get you a bigger bang for the buck in terms of swaying voters.