Simon Crean publicly attacked Rudd's integrity, Gillard refused to defend Rudd against the attacks either publicly or privately, Rudd therefore concluded he didn't have the confidence of the PM and that therefore his position was untenable.
His strongest indication thus far is that he's going to relinquish the power to choose the frontbench but if you look at what he's said he thinks he should have done differently: sailed ahead with the ETS, refused to get into the politics of fear with refugees etc, he's indicating he should have heeded less of the advice of the factions not more. The factions of course would only get to nominate who would serve in his cabinet, not what positions they would occupy so if for example they put Wayne Swan in, Rudd could assign Swan to resources and energy and make Chris Bowen treasurer. One of Rudd's problems I think the first time was that Albanese and Faulkner were the only cabinet ministers who were really part of Rudd's inner circle. Rudd had a very small support base of his own to begin with and won the leadership considerably on the back of Gillard's supporters. Once he got in he tried to play the Beazley/Gillard camps off against each other to try and stop them muscling up on him but ultimately he had few ministers whom he greatly trusted so, as we know, he centralized more and more power in his own office, to the chagrin of nearly everyone.
I wonder if he's actually staying out of it or if it's part of a coordinated effort by team Rudd to seem like nice guys. Bowen, McClleland, Ferguson, Champion, Cameron...They've all taken the tune that they support Rudd but will support Gillard to the hilt if she doesn't win on Monday.
Hmmm, don't agree with Combet, he's about as engaging as Swanny, and Bowen has plenty of gifts but his performance in immigration was pretty dumb, just escalate the issue instead of diffusing it. Emerson is pretty confident and articulate which is not the norm in the government , he does occasionally act like a goose though. Shorten has a lot going for him even though he royally fucked up in June 2010. Mark Dreyfus, parliamentary secretary for climate change isn't without talent either.
The great irony is that for the last twelve months the shadow cabinet's thought they had it in the bag so long as Abbott didn't say anything.
Ahahahaha
The caucus has to look at this and realise that Rudd is the only chance the ALP has of challenging Abbott
Oh please. With the possible exception of Smith and his extraordinary political abilities a third candidate would be fatal.
