Ford's famous for being a drunk and for using crack, not for any good he's done. You are right that there are few mayors that have name recognition for doing good things. The only one I can think of is Rudolph Giuliani.
None have Ford's presence, persona and certainly dont have women swooning over them. Im talking reasons why they are less known.
How many Washington major's do you know other than Marion Barry ? Do you know the Chicago mayor that followed Rod Blagojevich ? How about New York mayor candidate Anthony Weiner ?
Nenshi is well known all over Canada and I assume will leverage the outstanding job he has done for Calgary into a role on a larger stage. I can see him running for Premier, or moving into a significant Federal role. People respect him.
For one thing, he contracted out garbage collection away from the PSU and their blackmailing strikes.
He did that in the first few months after he was elected. Then he alienated council and his crack smoking became a distraction. Since then he hasn't been able to accomplish anything.
His record shows that he was a drunk crackhead who lied so often that he lost the confidence of council and his power now is down to attracting crowds while drunk.
Ford single handed privatized garbage collection ? Toronto city council voted 32-13 in favour of privatizing the city's garbage pickup of which Ford was one vote ! Ford championed the cause but he did not vote 32 times to get it passed. The Ford Nation - the remaining portion - have excused/ accepted drunk driving, crack smoking, drunken rages, gang affiliation - pathetic is an understatement.
