Word for Word: Rob Ford vs. Marion Barry

If you think Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s crack scandal is crazy, imagine living through the Marion Barry eras in Washington, D.C. In January 1990, during his first run as Washington’s mayor, Barry was famously videotaped smoking crack cocaine with an ex-girlfriend and busted by the FBI. He lost his mayoral seat and served six months in jail, only to return to city politics where he was RE-ELECTED mayor in 1994. Barry subsequently earned the nickname “Mayor for Life” and, at 77, still serves on city council.

Not only do Marion Barry and Rob Ford have the crack cocaine addiction in common (some say Ford may want to take a page from Barry’s book about how to rehab both yourself and your image), they both also have a penchant for offering up truly “unique” sound bytes. Below are seven quotable comparisons of Ford and Barry. Let us know who you think said it better.

RELATED POST: Take Our Mayoral Quiz! Who Said it: Rob Ford, or “Diamond” Joe Quimby?

On improving their city …

Rob Ford: “We’re going to put an end to the gravy train.”

Marion Barry: “I promise you a police car on every sidewalk.”

On looking on the bright side …

Rob Ford: I believe, when it comes to my fiscal policy, I’m by far the best mayor the city has ever had.

On admitting they aren’t perfect …

Rob Ford: I’m the first one to admit I am not perfect. I have made mistakes … I shouldn’t have got hammered down at the Danforth. If you’re going to have a couple drinks, you stay home, and that’s it. You don’t make a public spectacle of yourself.

Marion Barry: People have criticized me because my security detail is larger than the president’s. But you must ask yourself: are there more people who want to kill me than who want to kill the president? I can assure you there are.

On making excuses (Part 2) …

Rob Ford: (On the crack cocaine scandal) I wasn’t lying. You didn’t ask the correct questions. No, I’m not an addict and, no, I do not do drugs.