I have no idea exactly what caused me to write this letter, possibly my first, back in 2001...
"Plausible Deniability". That's the secret. It takes fine political judgement to encourage all of the electorate's ingrained racist attitudes, while still being able to claim that your policies and rhetoric are not racist.
John Howard has near-perfect political judgement. Without plausible deniability, people would not feel at liberty to vote for him. Australians would not vote for a politician who was openly racist. The trick is to walk like a racist, but talk like a patriot.
After all, when he pokes out his trembling bottom lip like that, how could any right-thinking Australian doubt his sincerity? John loves humanity, John's heart goes out to the suffering, but John can't allow his love to interfere with his duty.
By hammering that image of himself, John allows Australians to vote for him. After all, you have to leave an escape route for people's consciences.
Lee Borkman
13 November 2001
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