The Ford brothers made the rounds of American talk shows on Sunday. A selection:

Doug Ford explaining Mayor Rob Ford’s politics in terms Americans can understand (to Bill Weir of CNN): “Everyone keeps saying Rob’s a conservative. He’s a HUGE, MASSIVE social liberal. He LOVES Obama. The headlines of the papers when he won? ‘The White Obama.’ ”

(No Canadian newspaper used that headline after Rob Ford’s mayoralty victory, although Tasha Kheiriddin of the National Post wrote a 2010 column with the headline, “Rob Ford: the Barack Obama of Toronto.” It didn’t say they shared political views but noted they each profited from voter frustration with the status quo.)

Doug Ford on allegations he was “slinging hash” (to Weir): “Thirty-one years ago, I smoked marijuana. I didn’t deal marijuana. If you want to go calling, you know, going to your buddy and saying, ‘Here is a joint for $10,’ if that’s what you want to call (dealing), so be it.”

Rob Ford on higher office (to John Roberts of Fox): “Yes, one day I do want to run for prime minister.”

Rob Ford on parenthood and family (to Weir): “Absolutely, I’m the best father around. . . . I’m straightforward with my kids. I’m teaching my son how to ski, and my wife supports them and my wife has some issues. What, you just dismiss them? You just walk away? I don’t walk away from anyone, Bill, in life!”

Doug Ford on his personal sense of persecution by the media (to Weir): “They wasted three years trying to kill me. For why, I don’t even know. I give everything I have. I’ve given up millions of dollars by not running the (family label) business. For what? To support the people. I have no agenda.”

Rob Ford on Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau’s admission that he smoked marijuana as an MP and Trudeau’s chances of dethroning Stephen Harper in the next federal election (to Roberts): “I don’t believe Mr. Trudeau’s gonna be the next PM, I believed Mr. Harper’s gonna get re-elected as PM. You look at their record and put it to Mr. Trudeau’s record and it’s like night and day. Illegal drugs are illegal drugs.”

Doug Ford on his future at city hall (to Weir): “I’m out after this. I’m done.”

Doug Ford on seeking higher office (to Weir): Well, we’ll see. We’ll see.”

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