We know Toronto mayor Rob Ford flew to Chicago with the idea of going into rehab. We also know that Ford "withdrew" his request to enter the United States.
As we've learned in other cases, U.S. officials are concerned about admitted drug use, regardless of accusation or conviction.
Even though Ford was allowed to enter the United States to go to the Oscars (scheduled) and the Jimmy Kimmel Show, the first crack video wasn't enough for a concern. We have seen stills with Ford holding a crack pipe. That might have been just enough to deny Ford entry into the United States.
The impression is that the request was withdrawn as to not be formally refused. Why fly to Chicago if you don't think you'll get to stay in Chicago?
If the purpose of entering the United States is for rehab, chances are that you aren't getting in.
For all the cracks about whether Justin Bieber should be kicked out of the U.S., drug use hasn't been on his list.
Previous coverage:
Rob Ford to get help, hopefully
Ford's people swear the mayor is in rehab. We don't know where he is.
If we thought Rob Ford's people were smarter than they are, we would think the Chicago flight was a ruse to distract us from whether Ford is in rehab.
We don't think they thought this through that carefully.
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Before the latest audio and video tape, Rob Ford was in an unusual situation for a politician trying to get re-elected. Incumbents are usually weighed down by actual work. Ford had most of his powers taken away with Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly running the city.
We were told that the campaign was put on hold for the rehab stint. Ford didn't have much to do but run to be mayor again. And even then, Ford apparently succumbed to temptations.
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We won't get details now about Ford's treatment and what he is going through. But Toronto voters deserve to have some idea of what Ford went through to trust him again to get 4 more years as mayor. Having multiple candidates increases Ford's chances of winning, even with all that has happened.
Winning re-election means Ford gets all his powers back. Toronto voters should know what kind of mayor they would get if Ford comes back in October.
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