Celivia, loved your analogy about the Lion King!

I think we can safely assume that Julia Gillard's love life will have a negligible effect on Labor policies, whereas Abbott's fundamental Christian beliefs have done, and will continue to, colour everything he decides in politics.

I dread the day he has any sort of power over any decisions made for this country, especially for women.

Foxy,

To judge a person's character, you can only go on what they say and what they do. Of which what they do is the most reliable.

Compared to the BER rort, and other incompetences, this is a small issue. However, it is not a positive one.

SM

It is not even a "small issue" this attempt to smear Julia Gillard is a non issue.

I cannot help but wonder if the same topic had been set up with Tony (not sure if he had a son or not) Abbott as the target, whether this thread would've been approved. We will never know for sure, but somehow I doubt any male politician would've been scrutinised in such a derogatory manner.

Double standard.

One of the things raised on Insiders yesterday was whether Laurie Oakes was disseminating his prized leaks impartially. A series of clips were then shown of Oakes in action; In my view, Oakes's mode of delivery was maximally damaging to Labour, pouring scorn and ridicule on the damage control Labor administered. Of course the coalition is thriving on all the lop-sided media coverage. So far as I can see, all the commercial outlets are conservative more or less. Populist media (perhaps 90% of journalism) is in my view a despicable yet powerful force that both sides are forced to try to harness. One side seems to have tamed the beast!

Severin,

"We will never know for sure, but somehow I doubt any male politician would've been scrutinised in such a derogatory manner."

Bill Clinton?

Severin, Celivia and Suze, you demonstrate one of the reasons this thread is legitimate. While you all seem to think it is wrong to look at Julia's private morals but it is OK to look at Tony's. My polling shows that character is one of, if not the, major issue in this election.

It's legitimate to look at both of them. Abbott's pre-marital sex, while he was considering the seminary, and Julia's affair(s) are both indicators of character.

When neither side is offering a radically different view of the world, then the substance of the candidates will be more important than it normally is.