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Rob Ford: 'Yes, One Day I Do Want To Run For Prime Minister'

'I Do Want To Run For Prime Minister'

If Rob Ford's political career is over, someone forgot to tell him.

In fact, the controversial Toronto mayor, who has admitted to smoking crack cocaine in the past and getting behind the wheel after drinking, has his sights set on 24 Sussex Drive.

"Yes, one day I do want to run for prime minister," Ford told Fox News Channel's John Roberts in an interview which aired in part Sunday.

In one short clip, Ford said he has admitted to using illegal drugs in the last year and drinking too much, but maintains he isn't an addict or alcoholic.

"I'm dealing with it, I'm training every day. I'm in the gym two hours every day, I'm seeking professional help," he said.

At one point, the discussion shifted to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau with Ford seeming to compare his recent confession that he has smoked crack with Trudeau's admission to HuffPost Canada this summer that he has smoked marijuana since becoming an MP in 2008.

"Well, you know let me clarify one thing, no I don't believe Mr. Trudeau's gonna be the next PM. I believe Mr. Harper's gonna get re-elected as PM. He's done a fantastic job and the finance minister Jim Flaherty's done a fantastic job," Ford said. "You look at their record and put it to Mr. Trudeau’s record it's like night and day. Illegal drugs are illegal drugs."

Ford also vowed to continue serving as mayor, even if council strips him of many of his powers.

"I can assure you if the council wants to continue what it's doing — stripping me of all my powers, taking away my staff — they can't stop me from showing up to council, debating every issue," he said. "No one can stop me from returning phone calls, no one can stop me campaigning."

This is actually not the first time Ford has said he wanted the top political job in Canada.

Back in 2006, Ford outlined his political aspirations during an interview with Rogers TV.

"I want to be mayor, I want to be premier and I want to be prime minister," the then-city councillor said.

Ford also said recently that he doesn't believe his current troubles will impede the political ambitions of his brother, Councillor Doug Ford.

"Doug will be provincial, he will be premier one day," Ford said. "It has nothing to do with me. And no matter again how the media wants to spin it, Doug is the hardest-working, smartest guy."

But if Rob Ford’s serious about running for the Conservatives, at least two Tory MPs may not be thrilled.

Justice Minister Peter MacKay said over the weekend that the Toronto mayor sets a poor example.

"Both Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Ford, who have admitted to using drugs while in office … do not set a very high standard or example for the country,” MacKay told Global News.

"We are never going to be fans of anyone who sets a poor example by their personal behaviour in any elected position. We've made that clear with regard to Justin Trudeau's comments over the summer," Alexander said. "I'll make them [our views] clear about Rob Ford right now. We're not fans of anyone who is promoting, by their behaviour, the use of illegal drugs, drugs that are harmful and drugs that are illegal."

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