Makeover: Margaret Atwood for mayor

The Atwood-for-mayor musings have returned following the author’s standing up for libraries and against the Ford brothers. We asked: What would it take for Peggy to win?

Margaret Atwood’s brief foray into politics had euphoric residents dreaming of a mayoral run — Post City’s art department even wishfully added a campaign button to her photo

CELEBRITY, CANDIDATES & CREDIBILITY

Margaret Atwood isn’t actually going to run for mayor. But why not? Ford won, and he’s yet to read a chapter book, much less write one. “Surfacing” Margaret Atwood would require three steps. First, leverage her celebrity and consolidate the F**k Ford Nation constituency. (Sorry, brother Doug, she’s actually pretty famous.) Second, build a legitimate movement by recruiting a slate of council candidates composed of business and city leaders. Finally, surprise the haters with a credible financial plan — one that, unlike Ford’s, doesn’t close libraries or pretend new subway cars come free. Who knows? Maybe Surfacing Mayor Atwood could put an end to Ford’s Gravy Train Wreck.

Scott Reid, communications professional and speechwriter, senior advisor to former prime minister Paul Martin

KEEPING RALLYING THE TROOPS TO SAVE OTHER SERVICES

Margaret Atwood has done such a great job rallying people around the Toronto Public Library. If she was to run for mayor, I would hope to see a similar strategy of public engagement surrounding the proposed KPMG cuts to the Student Nutrition Program, Toronto Public Health, Toronto Parks and all the other programs and services that are on the chopping block.

Joe Mihevc, city councillor, Ward 21, St. Paul’s West

MINGLE WITH THE COMMON MAN

There’s a reason I’ve nicknamed Madame Atwood La Poodle besides her coiffure. It could have something to do with her air of superiority and elitist Twitter talk. To sell herself as Toronto’s mayor, madame has to make herself a more “Edible Woman,” more palatable to the masses. She should come out from behind the library stacks and mingle with the regular folk. Rub shoulders with the homeless in their natural habitat. Visit the children she writes for in a park with decrepit equipment. Take a subway ride to Scarberia. In other words, learn to read the common man.

Sue-Ann Levy, columnist, Toronto Sun

MANY CAN RUN FOR MAYOR, BUT NO ONE CAN REPLACE PEGGY

Please don’t run for mayor. There are others who can be mayor, but no one else can be Margaret Atwood. As an alternative to politics, send two copies of Oryx and Crake to the Ford brothers, and let’s invite them for a series of library events. It is possible they would enjoy them.

Anna Porter, author and publisher, Key Porter Books

This article appears in the September 2011 issue of Post City Magazines