Finally.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted to smoking crack cocaine today. "Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine," Ford told reporters during a press conference, adding "I am not an addict."
This comes less than a week after the Toronto Police Departmentreleased a 500-page document confirming that Ford was under investigation for possible criminal activity following the arrest of his former driver and alleged drug dealer Alexander "Sandro" Lisi. Toronto police also confirmed their possession of the alleged Ford crack-smoking video
When probed about why it took so long for him to come clean, Ford explained it as a politician would. "I wasn’t lying. You didn’t ask the correct questions," he said. Semantics, always semantics with these guys. "I want everybody in the city to see this tape. I don’t even recall there being a tape. I want to see the state I was in," he continued. "
His admission comes six months after a press conference where Ford vehemently denied smoking crack following Gawker and the Toronto Star's reports about a video of Ford smoking crack existing. "I do not use crack cocaine. Nor am I an addict of crack cocaine," he insisted. He said he was unable to comment on the existence of the video.
Ford's attorney, Dennis Morris, has advised him not to speak with police. Meanwhile, he danced around tough questions like Barry Sanders evading defenders during the '90s. "You ask the question properly, I’ll answer it," he told reporters.
According to Ford, he smoked crack a year ago. The exact details conveniently seem to escape him. "I don’t even remember. Probably in one of my drunken stupors. You guys have seen the state I’ve been in." As for those drunken stupors, Ford gets it in.
"That’s why I want to see the tape. I want everyone in the city to see this tape. I’d like to see this tape. I don’t even recall there being a tape or a video and I know that, so I want to see the state that I was in. I don’t know what else I can say."
How about "sorry for lying"?
Ford promised not to resign as recently as yesterday. In the interim, the endless stream of crack jokes will test his resolve. Let's see if he's as resolute as Marion Barry. Regardless, it's intervention time.
UPDATE: Not only does Ford refuse to step down, he plans to run for re-election. Let the Marion Barry comparisons commence, just be warned that Marion Barry, Jr. is not with the disrespect.
