Are the Liberals imploding?

On the eve of John Howard presenting to the National Press Club another scandal rocks the party. It seems one after the other.

Then to top it off ... it's a chaser style prank! Well, if that was the case wouldn't the joke would have been more obvious.

It's a shame that rascist remarks towards a fledgling community within Australia are considered a harmless prank.

Does this further prove our "multiculturalism" ideal is just that - aspirational rather than reality?

I'm sure the fundamental supporters of Labour and Liberal will give the obvious response ... but how does this affect the campaign?

Will this sway the swinging voter? And which way?

Cori I would not have started a thread on the same subject if I had known yours was on the way, see fear tactics in Australian politics.
However it is my honestly held view both party's have in past elections used American style fear and loathing tactics along with lies.
This election[ I am a card carrying member of the ALP] has seen a new low, a one sided low from a party already defeated.
How could they not know we Australians are sick of lies and fear tactics?
How could they not understand we are not going to listen to it?
John Howard Sir, until workchoices you had the keys to the lodge welded to your key chain, yes some like me had much to dislike you for but our voice was just background, it now is time to go with grace mate, well about 6 months past that date.
Your national press club denial was much needed but not convincing, already we are hearing it was a Labor set up?
Lies Sir sell cars! but more often for the dealer down the road not the lie teller.
I just can not stop from humming a tune , it is in my thoughts all the time by by by by Johny good by, and good riddance.

A prank?

It would only be a prank if it was intended to be discovered for what it was.

I think this is a prank in the same way that kids overboard was a practical joke and a similar event happened in another electorate last time.

It is, however, funny - considering the exquisite timing.

The Rodent is fond of reminding us that "changing the Government will change the Country".

Exactly.

Maybe this is what the polls are telling him. More and more people are dissatisfied with what this society is turning into and want a change - any change.

I think that this tawdry episode exposes two things about the Liberals: their utter desperation and their racist underbelly.

Howard himself has said he doesn't believe the claim that it was a joke. How the supporters thought it could help the Liberal party is beyond me. I think it is a sign of genuine desperation. The more radical supporters are starting to say what they really think. They've been winning so long they have forgotten how to lose gracefully.

I agree with Freedriver that Liberals seem to have lost touch with the electorate.

Just based on this strawpole, it appears a common theme that Australians are sick of this style of politics and its outputs (the Tampa, Iraq war, control of senate).

I wonder if a change of leadership when Costello challenged earlier this year would have changed the "potential" result? After all, there seems to be resignation or absolute optimism that Labour will win 16 seats this Saturday against Howard, would a Rudd - Costello battle have been the same?