Rudd - legitimately ambitious or a control freak?

No doubt he, like most people, has a more complex emotional register than what would be suggested by a naïve narrative of his transformation from intimidating Goss gatekeeper to man of the people. But it does capture something quite central to any assessment of Rudd - the way in which he learns from setbacks, and is able to focus very intensely on presenting himself in a particular way.

The same story runs through Stuart’s description of the way Rudd sought to broaden his appeal to the Labor caucus after his realisation, in the wake of Crean’s downfall, that he would attract very little support from his fellow MPs despite his self belief and undoubted talents.

It’s characteristic of the man - once he sets a goal he is determined to go after it.

This single-mindedness also has its downside, though. It’s been observed by some of the more astute political commentators this year, particularly Christian Kerr of Crikey!, that Rudd both makes very avoidable mistakes when he’s overworking himself, and that his performance suffers through the lack of strong personalities in his office capable of telling him hard truths on occasion.

This aspect of Rudd’s character is the take out message from the book. Rudd has, from an early age, shown that he pursues his goals with incredible focus and energy. Recollections of his university years from students and lecturers remark on the degree to which Rudd’s life was almost totally consumed by his studies. At high school, he didn’t have to be prompted to do homework. He couldn’t understand why anyone would need prompting.

As Stuart observes, we should not be wary of ambition if the ambition is directed towards public service, rather than self-aggrandisement. It does appear that Rudd has an ego of more than sufficient proportions, and stories about his temper abound. But Stuart, again, presents us with a more contextualised and balanced portrait of Rudd, particularly during the Goss era, when he held real power for the first time.

Stuart has written a political rather than a personal biography. Given Rudd’s non-co-operation (and again it’s fair to note that Rudd’s attitude seemed to change just before the deadline was imminent), it could hardly have been otherwise. But missing from the account of his life and character is much sense of the inner person, though his qualities as a family man certainly come through.

It’s tempting to suggest that Rudd’s determination and his single-mindedness might leave him somewhat lacking in empathy, and that he might be the worse for not having had a more rounded life. The book does note, on several occasions, the view of those who’ve worked with Rudd that he doesn’t take kindly to opposing views: this is all indicative of his control freak persona. That might be Rudd’s greatest weakness - both in his quest for the highest office, and if he attains it, in office.

Stuart, in a very fair and nuanced review of the competing stories and allegations about the death of Rudd’s father and his family’s subsequent travails, believes he’s got to the core of Rudd’s character.

Rudd’s world was collapsing around him. He appears to have been gripped by a tremendous economic anxiety, as well as concern about his family’s future. His father’s death may suggest where Rudd’s tremendous drive - as well as, possibly, his political leanings - come from.

The key to any understanding of Rudd is the fact that he never seems to stop. He pushes himself and everyone around him hard. He is extremely ambitious, displaying a determination to achieve that appears quite remarkable. In retrospect, it seems difficult to over-estimate the significance of those early events.

I found Stuart’s book quite fascinating to read. It’s well written, well researched, and sensitive not only to its subject but also to the truth.

In his closing pages, Stuart effectively suggests that what is most dangerous to Rudd might be summed up by the old adage “pride cometh before a fall”. Whether or not Rudd attains the summits of his ambition, and whether one thinks that his ambition for Australia is a good thing or not, Stuart has certainly succeeded in painting a fascinating portrait of a political figure central to the rather dour political landscape of this election year.