For the losers wedge politics are dirty politics. For the winners, its good policy that swayed enough voters to their side.Given that a 2% win gives a good parliamentary majority, its no surprise that most of the action is in the middle. There's inevitably more similarities than differences as parties outbid each other for the centre vote.
The wedge doesn't have to shift too many to be effective.
Vituperation towards Howard is fine, but can ALP supporters feel any more confident that Labor will not end up as Howard Lite by election day?

It seems that everybody hears the dog-whistle, and that everybody reacts. Those that hear it and react against it run around the neighborhood banging pots and yelling 'dog-whistle' to all and sundry. They presume an ignorance in the rest that is insulting.
The term implies appeal to our base instincts and fears and assumes the worst in us. Is it any wonder that the swinging voter, ie the middle voter, has elected Howard, who up to now has managed to appear not to condescend to them?

Glad we all do not think like you!again we find some who blame the voters if they elect them team they do not want .
Even now a lady I have to do business with tells me in all honesty I am a radical.
She has 5 times my income a university education , while I passed burning the rubbish from all those class rooms and little else.
Yet she is very wrong and lacks any idea of politics.
She took offense at my ALP polling booth workers shirt the Monday after it was confirmed we govern all states and Territory's.
Made the claim we got elected by lie,s to all those states ext.
The ALP had the wrong leader wrong policy's and Buckley's chance in 2004.
Fact is now conservative Australia has that form.
On election night IF Howard leads to polling day Labor will win by a very long way.
That result or even the complete reversal, [not a chance] will be the mostly well considered view of Australian voters.