They had started with intentions of fighting the BE based on local issues ie win the Hougang over with $$$ and improvements.
It's a combination of pork barrel politics and a deliberate attempt at downplay or avoidance of prominent national issues (eg immigration policies) which may be hijacked by the WP for their agenda. Desmond would try to come across as an independent, likeable young man with the personal touch - the PAP would go for house visits and walk-abouts in contrast to the usual massive rallies and big guns stumping approach of the opposition. They would emphasize that WP already has 5 MPs in parliament and the people of Hougang should be thinking more for themselves this time round.
But somehow, somewhere along the way, DPM TEO seemed to have taken charge and changed the focus to questioning Png's personal integrity in the WP NCMP nomination. Desmond has been sidelined and the main issue for debate seemed to revolve around whether Png has lied when he claimed he did not want the NCMP position. It now looks as if the PAP is bent on proving that Png may be unfit for the MP office.
So the questions are :
Will the Hougang voters buy into this personality-based (not issue-based) campaigning?
Will the attempts to undermine Png's character gain traction with voters?
And what has caused the sudden change of PAP strategy?
It's a combination of pork barrel politics and a deliberate attempt at downplay or avoidance of prominent national issues (eg immigration policies) which may be hijacked by the WP for their agenda. Desmond would try to come across as an independent, likeable young man with the personal touch - the PAP would go for house visits and walk-abouts in contrast to the usual massive rallies and big guns stumping approach of the opposition. They would emphasize that WP already has 5 MPs in parliament and the people of Hougang should be thinking more for themselves this time round.
But somehow, somewhere along the way, DPM TEO seemed to have taken charge and changed the focus to questioning Png's personal integrity in the WP NCMP nomination. Desmond has been sidelined and the main issue for debate seemed to revolve around whether Png has lied when he claimed he did not want the NCMP position. It now looks as if the PAP is bent on proving that Png may be unfit for the MP office.
So the questions are :
Will the Hougang voters buy into this personality-based (not issue-based) campaigning?
Will the attempts to undermine Png's character gain traction with voters?
And what has caused the sudden change of PAP strategy?
