The story behind an iconic political moment that almost didn’t happen

If you watched politics in Ontario’s capital city in 2003, you will surely remember the moment. 

It became one of the most iconic political images in Toronto’s history: David Miller, fresh off a Toronto mayoral race focused in part on possible dirty dealings at City Hall, standing on stage, arms raised in victory, holding a broom.

It was an instant classic. But it almost didn’t happen.

Last month, the protagonists from that night gathered as the TTC unveiled that its Leslie Barns Carhouse was being renamed after the former mayor. In the crowd were two advisers who disagreed on that iconic moment.

First, some context. Way back then, Miller was a city councillor representing High Park. He frequently scrapped with megacity mayor Mel Lastman, who, in 2002, told Miller in council: “You will never be mayor of this city because you say stupid and dumb things!”

When the 2003 race began, Miller was at the back of the pack, polling at between 3 and 5 per cent — former Toronto mayor Barbara Hall enjoyed a huge lead. But he captured the zeitgeist of the moment, insisting he was the best option to sweep out the dirty dealing at City Hall. (In fact, Madam Justice Denise Bellamy found plenty of impropriety during a judicial inquiry looking into conflict of interest, bribery, and misappropriated funds.)

And just to show you that everything old is[…] This is an excerpt. Read the full article at TVO.org.