High chance TKL will pull out if TJS is given the COE.
High chance TKL will pull out if TJS is given the COE.
You mean "many people" have asked TKL to pull out if TJS is in?
Agree. In fact Tan Jee Say has stronger base for the campaign. I am highly doubtful that he qualifies.
TKL will not announce or signal his intention to withdraw until TJS gets the COE.
It will either be
TT/TCB/TKL
OR
TT/TCB/TJS
There is close to 0% chance that it will be
TT/TCB/TKL/TJS
TKL will not announce or signal his intention to withdraw until TJS gets the COE.
TKL will always depend on what 'many people' tell him. He doesn't seem to have a mind of his own.
TJS is NOT looking to gracefully exit SDP because he does not need such an exit. He can call the shots in SDP because of his perceived stature. Think he is really below the Chairman & Sec-Gen? John Tan & James Gomez are not just a B team, but a forgotten team. Its so very sad because they did so much of the hard work behind the scenes but opposition supporters do not focus on their contribution, which is not small at all.
I beg to differ. The nature of parties is that you need to climb up the ranks and in order to do that you need to get into good books with the leadership. It's the same for any party, PAP or WP. Obviously it is not in TJS case. You're talking about SDP here and not NSP or WP who would value TJS credentials more. There's a chance he can't fit in.
Gomez is a newbie but John Tan is not. He came in many years back and would be a powerful person within SDP as ASG. At this point of time TJS would have been appointed as a cadre and if he was, it would give him something less to resign to go for something that he cannot qualify. Also, given his age, it is not likely for CSJ to give way to him. He's nearly 10 years older than CSJ.
He may not realise it, but being rejected by the PEC doesn't put your credibility in good standing. It doesn't matter if the PEC is PAP controlled or PAP affilated because it gives the impression of being a reject. This is a Singapore psyche. SDP stalwarts also do not welcome that because they think the president role is a farce. He is unlikely to be seen in a good light (not in bad light either) if he returns to SDP. And I kind of don't think he will. Many people I spoke to does think it is his exit strategy.
Mr Tan Jee Say has the same intent as Mr Tan Kin Lian. Both are looking to raise their profiles and leave behind a legacy of political engagement.
For TJS, the compulsion is even stronger because he tasted blood at the GE. 39.9% is not something to be sniffed at, if you compare to previous performance of SDP and the whole opposition in previous GEs (2001 & 2006).
The whole opposition has high regard of TJS because of his career background. Just ask around. Not a single negative comment. Glowing remarks and words of praise all round. That kind of attention, once gotten, is not easy to let go. It goes to your head.
TJS is smart. He knows he has a good set of cards and knows how to play his hand well.
I beg to differ. The nature of parties is that you need to climb up the ranks and in order to do that you need to get into good books with the leadership. It's the same for any party, PAP or WP. Obviously it is not in TJS case. You're talking about SDP here and not NSP or WP who would value TJS credentials more. There's a chance he can't fit in.
Gomez is a newbie but John Tan is not. He came in many years back and would be a powerful person within SDP as ASG. At this point of time TJS would have been appointed as a cadre and if he was, it would give him something less to resign to go for something that he cannot qualify. Also, given his age, it is not likely for CSJ to give way to him. He's nearly 10 years older than CSJ.
He may not realise it, but being rejected by the PEC doesn't put your credibility in good standing. It doesn't matter if the PEC is PAP controlled or PAP affilated because it gives the impression of being a reject. This is a Singapore psyche. SDP stalwarts also do not welcome that because they think the president role is a farce. He is unlikely to be seen in a good light (not in bad light either) if he returns to SDP. And I kind of don't think he will. Many people I spoke to does think it is his exit strategy.
It kinda begs the question - what does he really want?
I also agree that failing to qualify for the EP or failing to win is not going to be a positive development for his political career (if he is serious about one), and may well come home to haunt him.