The article is interesting but it really downplays the serious consequences of what Mr Garrett said. Mr Rudd changes his position when it suits him so why not after the election. Whether Mr Rudd could get away with it with the electorate would be a problem for a later time

Garretts Gaff amounts to the usual socialist mantra

before the election

"Me-Too, Me-Too"

Should they win, after the election

"Now Screw You"

Garrett's gaffe is the defining moment of this campaign. It's the turning point.

It was followed on Sunday morning when Oakes asked Rudd, if Garrett's comment was a joke, (Rudd then approvingly agreed) but Oakes then asked ...'Where's the humour?'
Rudd was stumped by the simplicity and the logic. He didn't answer the question but fudged on about John Howard.

That performance was as bad as Garrett's original gaffe.

Since we've seen the Labor campaign in panic mode. With orchestrated appearances by Rudd.
An appearance in the fruit shop where John Howard had been a few hours earlier. The shop was owned by the family of one of his staffers. That was just so Rudd.
Tinkering at the edges with housing policy for the homeless. We all know most homeless are people with mental disabilities. They were once housed by state governments in institutions.
Then today his horse in the cup was scratched but after the race we all learned he'd picked and backed the winner. If it wasn't so pathetic I thought it was something organised by kids. I can see the coalition adds. 'What? He changed after the race!'

Since the weekend, Labor's advertising has gone more negative. Is their private polling telling them something?

I get the feeling the Labor campaign and it's supporters wish the election was this weekend. I think they've run out of puff.

The interest rates issue is being turned on them.

John Howard's been on the front foot and is looking positive, in the face of an, until now, horrible campaign.

Since Garrett's gaffe Howard has gotten all the momentum and it is going to be awfully hard for a now deadly boring and
increasingly ideasless Rudd to get it back.

The national polsters admit the gap has narrowed from 12 points to 6 in less than two weeks. Now that's stunning. Especially when most things went Kevin's, Wayne's and Nicola's way.

The worn told them they'd won. But I wouldn't put my faith in a creature that lives in an environment of rotting material and which f..ks itself.

Garrets been pretty quiet throughout this campaign.

Bit strange for a rabid enviro dont you think?

These people dont change thier spots so easily, should Labor win this pundit believes we will see a return of the beds are burning mantra of good ol midnight oil frontman Pete.

He'd have to be frothing at the bit to be let loose on the countries mining houses. Not a spectacular prospect for a country that relies on mining for its social largess.

One would wonder if Rudd has the goolies to hold such a creature by the reins.

Garret speaks the truth, no gaffe.

The Australian Government is thinking about setting up a 'consultation blog' to give the public a chance to comment on policy and proposed legislation.

If you'd like to help shape this blog then take this quick survey at

www.openforum.com.au/Survey

It's your chance to have your say and it could lead to something really worthwhille,

Thanks.

The comments here prove my theory that these things don't really have much influence.

Those who dislike Rudd will believe it was more than a joke. Those who don't, will dismiss it. Thus, in the big picture, it doesn't make much difference.

keith - no, it's not a turning point. You're placing much too much on a single campaign gaffe.

SCOTTY - uh huh. I'll add that to the rest of the empty extreme right rhetoric you're fond of spouting.