It’s always interesting to see how those of us outside the bubble view Vancouver politics and personalities. The mayor is always the key character people like to focus on.
I’d say that for those who cover city hall intensively, Gregor Robertson is still a conundrum. He’s kept mostly under wraps and only allowed out to talk to media when the game plan has been carefully scripted. As a result, it’s hard to get a sense of what real impact he is having on city initiatives and policies (as opposed to what impact his political team around him is effecting).
I hear he’s the one who pushes for some of the most radical actions — but I have no real idea if that’s true. It’s all hearsay, unlike what I used to experience with Sam Sullivan or Larry Campbell, where I felt like I got a pretty good read on what they really cared about personally and their operating style.
I do hear (and not just from the predictable right) the occasional comment from average people that they find him a bit flaky. Or that he hasn’t done much besides community gardens and chickens. But I have no idea whether that’s a widespread view. The only indicator around are the recent results, partially published today, in the Globe about who a good potential successor to Gordon Campbell would be. While Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts was way out in front of the pack, ahead of even long-time ministers like Rich Coleman, Kevin Falcon and Colin Hansen, Robertson barely registered.
But there’s one outside-the-bubble assessment, Brian Hutchinson at the National Post weighing in on Gregor Robertson and what he deems to be his successful term so far.