Marriage equality Abbott's "core of his political vulnerability" - NYT's

There's an article in the New York Times about marriage equality in Australia and Tony Abbott. Although much of it says nothing new to a follower of Australian politics, there's a very astute observation quoted from a director of Ipsos polling.  

Mr. Abbott, a conservative leader who is a polarizing figure at the best of times, is doing badly in the polls, two years after taking office. His position on same-sex marriage is only one factor, but it is one that analysts say goes to the core of his political vulnerability.

“His issue is his inability to reach out beyond a core group of conservative voters,” said Jessica Elgood, a director at the polling firm Ipsos, who added that he had “very little appeal to women voters.” more

Exactly. Abbott has painted himself into a corner, same sex marriage highlighting that corner on it and other issues.

To preserve his power base as prime minister in the face of constant rumblings about his poor polling, he relies on the votes of the maniac conservatives that support him. 

It also shows that Abbott is a political creature. He can't see past politics, and sees everything that happens, all issues that arise through that political prism. He politicises every issue instead of addressing it.