Rob Ford is rumoured to be tying up lose ends, shoring up fund-raising plans, and soon announcing his candidacy in the race to be the next mayor of Toronto.

Conservative blogger Stephen Taylor, who in December of 2008 was involved in the organization of the 2008 "Rally For Canada" protest against the opposition coalition (that fizzled soon thereafter), says that he heard the news from Rob Ford himself. An additional tidbit he revealed on his blog on Monday was that Rob's younger brother would be aiming to fill Rob's seat on City Council (Ward 2 in Etobicoke).

The buzz in the blogosphere was quickly picked up by the media, and when The Globe and Mail got in touch Rob Ford last night, he denies having told anyone that he would be running. Ford went on to explain that he "[has] no idea who half the people are that [he] talk[s] to," and that he's told several people that he's "seriously considering" a run for the mayor's job.

Ford revealed just last week that analysis of a poll he privately commissioned (and paid $5000 for from his own pocket) would put him in third place behind Smitherman and Giambrone. If you ask me, as much as the poll demonstrates his moderate degree of popularity, it also reveals his potential for making poor spending decisions (I could have told him that he's not a top contender - for free!).

It's difficult to imagine Ford being able to rally much support city-wide. Despite a desire by all Torontonians to see City Hall curb poor spending and managed its deficit woes, a staunch supporter of Mike Harris and Jim Flaherty isn't likely an attractive option.

But given the number of times Ford has put his foot in his mouth one thing is a sure bet - the entertainment value of the campaign would be sure to skyrocket if he ran.

Photo: Rob Ford's Facebook page