Tony's disciples

As Abbott enters a room of party faithful there is usually a guttural chant that slowly swells.  Those who have seen a Bruce Springsteen concert will recognise the vibe. 

"Tone-ee, Tone-ee, Tone-ee."

One of the aspects of the Coalition campaign that has been little remarked upon, is that Abbott spent much of the time in the first weeks revving up his foot-soldiers. Inspiring a kind of religious fervour.

On average there was at least one campaign launch a day to packed rooms of the Disciples of Tony. Seriously, what else possesses parents to pass down their babies and small children to the front of an audience - as I observed during campaign events - for the ritual planting of the dear leader's lips on the tender noggin ?

Abbott is leading the Coalition faithful to the promised land where Labor has been routed, the budget is returned to surplus, the boats are turned back, and Direct Action mysteriously and inexplicably works.

Much has been made of Abbott's unpopularity but little has been made of this ability to motivate his troops. Similarly, much has been made of Labor's "ground war" but little of the Coalition's.

And this primarily has been the Abbott camp's focus in the first part of the campaign.