Ya know, he used to be a dentist

ps999

March 22, 2012

Say what you want about his politics, our mayor is a funny guy.

Love or hate his style and his approach to governance, you have to admit that he's a witty man.

I don't cover Huntsville's municipal politics beat (that's Alison Brownlee's area of expertise and I'm the Lake of Bays go-to-girl) so I don't spend a lot of time with the mayor; but when I do meet up with him at community events, he always makes me laugh.

As at the maple tapping event where I photographed him. As he drilled into that tree, he just had to say, "You know, I used to be a dentist."

The joke was there and I really don't think he can resist an opportunity to pun.

He's also always game to ham it up for the camera. Last week we ran a photo of him lying in front of a community group. The pose was pure cheescake and the grin on Doughty's face made it obvious that he was thoroughly enjoying a moment of physical comedy.

It's charming really. And just maybe it's the secret to his success at winning two elections. 

When it comes to politics, you can't overestimate the value of a quick wit. Think about Trudeau. Did the county love him because he was brilliant, passionate about Canada and thoroughly egomaniacal?

Or did his appeal lie in his ability to swing and do a prat fall on national television? Perhaps it was his ability to tell cabinet members that disagreed with him to "fuddle duddle" off.