Tireless Abbott makes a final pitch

   * Patricia Karvelas, Political correspondent
   * From: The Australian
   * August 20, 2010 12:00AM

   
TONY Abbott has revealed that he has felt depressed at times during the five-week poll but described it as an amazing experience.

In the Opposition Leader's most candid and reflective interview of the campaign, he also said he hoped to continue surfing and competing in triathlons if he did become prime minister.

Mr Abbott joined journalists on the Coalition bus to the marginal Queensland seat of Petrie yesterday to describe the highs and lows of the campaign. "Sometimes you think this is a bit, jeez, depressing," he said. "Because you're all human - even senior politicians are human - you're subject to the usual range of emotions."

Mr Abbott said that, a few times, his wife Margie had remarked "whatever happens, what an amazing thing to have experienced, to be a party leader and go through an election campaign".

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He said his best moment of the campaign was the Rooty Hill people's forum in Sydney last week.

Mr Abbott said he understood the demands on prime ministers, but hoped to continue his rigorous exercise regime.

"I would be incredibly disappointed if I couldn't still be involved in a bit of sport because everyone's got to have some recreation, even prime ministers, and, for me, physical exercise has always been a great form of recreation," he said. "It's stress relief apart from anything else.

"Cycling is a very social sport. Surfing is a very social sport. Something like an ironman or a half-ironman, OK, it's very gruelling but it is actually a community event. I don't see why you would be precluded from attending community events."

Mr Abbott said he would finish the campaign with 36 hours' non-stop campaigning, continuing throughout last night - a tactic successfully adopted by Conservative leader David Cameron before the British election in May.

He will embark on another blitz in marginal seats in Sydney today. He will not fly any more because it means too much time in the air.

"Even when the city is kind of asleep, there are all those radio programs for those who always want to be updated on what's going on in the world," he said.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 20^th, 2010 at 11:52am:



Of course he is, but he's still an ignornat 'one eyed' wanker.