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April 14, 2005

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James Tien: Ten to one

James Tien's brief, quixotic attempt to challenge for Chief Executive has ended.

Announcing his decision, Tien made it clear he had consulted some Beijing officials about his possible candidacy and got a feeling that the central government will support Acting Chief Executive Donald Tsang. However, he said the chief reason for his decision not to stand was was an internal party poll which showed little support for him in comparison with Tsang, he said.

The poll conducted by the party between March 31 and April 12 on 6,167 people showed 60 percent favored Tsang as the next chief executive, compared to 5.8 percent for Tien, with 34 percent preferring neither.

Ouch, that's gotta hurt. It can't be a surprise, though. James should be happy: he's closed the gap from seventy times worse than The Don down to only ten times worse.

Even if the Liberals and DAB can't stand The Don, he's Beijing's man and they are going to have to live with it. The Liberals were all embarrassed by Tien's run. The SCMP today reports the vice-chairwoman of the Liberals saying But when asked whether they (election committee members) would nominate him, they said it was not so convenient. It speaks for itself.

Amazingly, I almost feel sorry for James Tien today. Almost.

Other Reading

* ESWN has reports from all the HK papers and more thoughts.
* Hemlock at the top of his game:

According to a report on the radio this morning, scientists using the latest electron and x-ray diffraction technology believe they might have detected James Tien’s integrity. It’s amazing what they can do these days. Even more unthinkable until recently, members of the DAB are now coming out and reciting, with perfectly straight faces, ‘Donald Tsang would make a really, really wonderful Chief Executive’. The words must taste bitter. Sir Bow-tie can only be enjoying this. I’m enjoying it. How can any right-minded person not delight in the frisson, the schardenfreude, at seeing years of DAB loyalty, patriotism and shoe-shining rewarded with a kick in the teeth from their beloved Beijing? And who can fail to be impressed by their obedience and willingness to take more? There is a PhD thesis somewhere here – United Front tactics as sado-masochism.

 posted by Simon on 04.14.05 at 12:27 PM in the




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Except for (Hemlock) not being able to spell in German (pointed out by my reader).

 posted by: fumier on 04.14.05 at 03:18 PM [permalink]




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