In the media

Ladner leads after cabaret chaos
"Sporting a red nose, mayoral candidate Leon Kaplan presented a comedy routine (at least I think that's what it was) leading to silence so profound that he commented, "My mom thinks I'm funny. She's probably the only one who'll vote for me." Jamie Lee Hamilton (running for park board) was equally lame." --Peter Birnie, Vancouver Sun

Candidates enter stage right
"(...) Or they could tell jokes, which is what Leon Kaplan will do. An immigrant from Rio de Janeiro, Kaplan heads up the self-styled Immigrant Party. 'It's more of a project of a party,' he said. The improv comedian promises absurdist humour. 'I'm like the Rhino [Party] candidate,' said Kaplan. '[My jokes] aren't too objective, it's cracking jokes about everybody. Like a rotating machine-gun.' The chance to crack wise about local politics is probably a better forum for his talents than a debate on the issues. "Yeah, because I am beyond issues," said Kaplan. 'Issues are a thing of the past.'" --Sean Conner, Vancouver Courier

A wide variety of choices for mayor
(...) The bookstore owner and comedian’s platform includes raising beer prices at GM Place, iPods for every citizen and turning libraries into Masonic lodges." --Maria Cootauco, Metro News

Vancouver mayoral hopefuls take part in questionable talent show
"Leon Kaplan's stand-up bit was fairly amusing, as he explained that he would split the right-wing vote with his plan to take tasers away from the cops—and give them to the Downtown Ambassadors." --Jessica Wirb, Georgia Straight

My Creative City Cabaret Time-Delayed Live Blog
"Now, Leon Kaplan. Independent. His mom thinks he’s funny and will be the only one voting for him. Ha! He’s got an out-RAG-eous French accent. He also thinks we should take tasers away from cops and give them to street ambassadors. He’s got a nice clown nose, and he’s going to bottle Vancouver [tap] water. Moderator cut him short but he was doing very fine. Someone asked him a question: Is this your first time running for mayor? Answer: Yes, and thank you for giving me a chance to finish my act." --Travis Smith, Unvarnished www.hopstudios.com

Shaw slams Langara for barring Work Less from mayoral debate
"A Work Less Party city council candidate is lashing out at Langara College for its decision to exclude the slate’s mayoral candidate, Betty Krawczyk, from a debate on Wednesday.(...) The Straight pointed out that the public could ask her and other candidates such questions if they were allowed in the debate. “So should candidate Leon Kaplan,” Berner retorted. “He’s as legitimate a candidate as Betty. He’s paid his $100 and he’s filed. (...) Further explaining the college’s decision, Berner said, 'Democracy is a flawed jewel. It’s not perfect, but I guess if we had 12 hours, I don’t know how we’d film that. It would be unwieldy; it can’t be done.'" --Matthew Burrows, Georgia Straight