( CNN ) -- The headline screaming from the front page of Wednesday 's Toronto Sun said it all : `` Rob Ford : Global Stuporstar . '' Above the text , Ford -- the mayor of Toronto -- beamed out at readers from the news conference where he had just admitted smoking crack cocaine . In a drunken stupor . `` Probably , approximately about a year ago . '' Despite the controversy , Ford is clinging to office , confounding critics and delighting supporters who say he 's done plenty of good for the city -- despite headlines around the world that have splashed a bit of mud on the image of the gleaming lakeside city that 's arguably the cultural center of English-speaking Canada . `` He 's human . We all make mistakes , '' one resident told Canadian broadcaster CBC Toronto . `` If he smokes and saves me money , I 'll vote for him â€ ” even if he 's a bum , '' said another . In fact , some polling data suggested Ford 's approval ratings had actually climbed in the days before his stunning announcement Tuesday after months of denials -- as they had in September with the scandal in full swing . At that time , some 10,000 cheering supporters packed the Ford family 's annual barbecue -- even with all the lurid accusations of drug use and purported links to street criminals , CBC reported . `` He 's a remarkable individual and a lot of people have put their faith in him , '' City Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong told CNN 's Piers Morgan on Tuesday . `` The question is when will the public feel that he 's basically taking advantage of them and that he has abused that trust that they 've given him . '' Tuesday 's admission followed months of sometimes heated denials prompted by reports this spring by the U.S. website Gawker and the Toronto Sun newspaper revealing the existence of a video that purportedly shows Ford smoking crack . The scandal widened amid a police investigation and the arrest of one of Ford 's friends on drug charges . He denied the allegations -- until Tuesday -- when he emerged from his office and shocked reporters with his sudden admission . `` Yes , I have smoked crack cocaine . But no , do I ? Am I an addict ? No , '' he said . `` Have I tried it ? Probably in one of my drunken stupors , probably approximately about a year ago . '' He has not been charged with any wrongdoing . `` I actually was completely surprised , '' said Robyn Doolittle , city hall reporter for the Toronto Star . Reporters had expected him to resign , she said . Toronto mayor wo n't resign . The admission was the only the latest oddity in what Toronto Life magazine called `` the weirdest mayoralty ever . '' Among other things , Ford has been called out for comments some have interpreted as racist , homophobic and misogynistic , and he has had several brushes with city ethics regulators , according to the Toronto Star . But he has also scored successes , including fiscal reforms that have endeared him to supporters , columnist Philip Preville wrote in Toronto Life magazine . `` While the entire city has been distracted by the giant blowhard on the screen , the man behind the curtain has accomplished some impressive wizardry , '' he said . For some , the drama surrounding Ford echoes that of Marion Barry , who was mayor of Washington when a police sting operation captured him smoking crack with an informant in 1990 . After a spectacular fall from grace and six months in prison , Barry successfully ran for a seat on the Washington , D.C. City Council under the slogan , `` He may not be perfect , but he 's perfect for D.C. '' He then ran for mayor again in 1994 and served a four-year term before returning in 2002 to the City Council , where he remains . A common tie between the men : a penchant for controversial quotes and an unquestioned love of their communities . `` He loves the city and wants to represent the city as mayor , '' City Councillor Jaye Robinson said Wednesday , speaking of Ford . Can he ? Doolitle says she thinks so . There 's no impeachment law or recall process to force him from office , she says . But Robinson says that despite continued support among his base , it 's time for Ford to step aside -- at least temporarily -- and deal with his personal issues . `` It does n't really reflect well on the city and the residents , many of the residents , most of the residents are fed up and they would like to see him resign , '' she said Wednesday . Ford , however , seems to have other things on his mind , Doolittle said . `` As far as he 's concerned , the election for 2014 's started , '' she said . Addicts shoot up in safe haven in Canada .
Controversial Toronto mayor retains support despite crack admission . But calls are growing for his resignation after months of scandal . Police said last week they have a video said to show Ford smoking crack . Rob Ford has not been charged with any wrongdoing .