Sure, blame the poor, the suburbs, the blue-collar working class. If it makes you feel that you and your buddies are better people. But Ford maintains popularity because he has been and to some extent still is legitimized by institutions and people who are leading forces in the city. The Star was right to ask why political, cultural and business leaders weren't publicly taking stands against Ford. Conrad Black, scandalized but still a long way from poor, uneducated, suburban or working class, stood up for Ford when he thought it would aid his TV show. Look at all those well-heeled who paid $100 a seat to this to Ford begin his campaign at the Economic Club. (And its leadership who may have aided in some cover about getting stuck on an elevator.) When Ford made toxic the debate on transportation other politicians - councilors like De Baeremaeker and Stintz, then the province and Metrolinx, then the federal government - caved to him and his supposed hold on his voter base. The CTV, City, CP24, Global broadcast media, most interested in the middle-class family suburban car-driving demographic that Ford plays to, has always treated him gingerly, highlights his outrage issues and continues to find people to speak favourably of him on camera. Because he's now a celebrity everyone continues to focus on him and seek his attention. And the civic opposition, which burns much of its energy snarking on Twitter, makes most important minor issues, like if a Mayor who is not longer fully the Mayor will attend the Pride parade, and has failed to develop fresh vibrant candidates either for the mayoralty or the council seats.
Added on edit: Reporters chase him everywhere, knowing that he won't answer their questions, and that they will be used by him to spread his message. Councilors, who voted to remove him due to behaviour that brought their body into disrepute, continue to engage in football pools and other buddy nonsense with him now that he won't go away, and - like with Minnan-Wong - circle back to his side when it allows them to score points against their political enemies.