This inquiry draws on Systemic Functional Linguistic (SFL) theory in its analysis and interpretation of the dynamic construction of recurring rhetorical strategies in a set of 11 editorials culled from The Australian, a politically conservative broadsheet newspaper in Australia. It examines how choices in interpersonal and ideational meaning collaborate and interact dynamically in these data to consistently disaffiliate a putative readership with one of the two major political parties. It identifies in particular the critical interaction of realis and irrealis meanings in the configuration of this strategy. The analyses supply a complementary means to investigate the discourse of persuasion within the field of news media.