let lemons be angry

 We Flocked to Bock last night.

 Unlike his political opponents, Tan Cheng Bock's rally strategy was to get normal Singaporeans to speak to Singaporeans. His speaker lineup: his very enthusiastic PA, a taxi driver, a new immigrant, his patient of 35 years, a young girl who made her election choice after doing research on the candidates, and his own children.

 The focus for the first two hours, thus, was on the value of TCB as a good person, a generous doctor, and a loving man whose heart has always been for the people. 

In the GE, rallies concentrated on the negative: the injustices of one party's rule, the imperfections of another's. But this rally, named a Unifying Rally for good reason, sought only the positives. In his daughter's words, "Our nation has just had a bruising General Elections. It is time for healing, and who better to do it than a doctor?"

Can TCB really heal a divided nation? My bet is yes, and here's why.

1. He knows clearly what the role of president is limited to.  

And that is the only way the president can fulfill his function to the best effect. He is not going in with a hellbent mission to confront the ruling party and disunite Singapore's top tier of power: "The Worker's Party will do that, give them room to express themselves." He is not going in to take Tharman's role as Finance Minister: "Tony wants to plan (financial packages) with Tharman, and then approve them himself later. That's not right... That's a conflict of interest."

Rather, he knows his role as custodian of the reserves is to scrutinize financial proposals the cabinet puts before him, and ask the tough questions. "And if I see any wrongdoings, I will tell the people."

2. He is truly Independent.

Though Tan Jee Say claims to be unaffected by his mere 4 months with the SDP, he made his political preferences clear with his rally lineup of popular opposition GE candidates, and anti-establishment rhetoric. Tan Kin Lian too showed his allegiance by inviting Ivy Singh-Lim to stir up the crowd at his rally. Tony Tan left the GIC only 3 months ago, and is still in the NRF, which reports to the Prime Minister.

In a vastly different move, TCB's campaign got it right. This is not a time for partisanal talk, nor a rehash of the injuries incurred at the GE. It was solely to talk about TCB as a singular man. And it is a reflection of TCB's independence of mind while serving as an MP, not being afraid to speak up as one man against his party on more than one occasion, and even receiving public chiding for it.

3. Eloquence and Dignity

Yes, Tony Tan has the Presidential Hair. But can he discern the main point of a question, and can he give a straightforward answer? His flowery speeches and meandering thoughts are full of style and slang, but not very much definition.

Tan Kin Lian is well-versed in financial matters, but admits to not being familiar with all the sections of the constitutional law. He still takes the stance of a grassroots leader, citing one of his practices if elected to have frequent council with citizens.

Tan Jee Say makes a very good debater, and would do well in parliament. His fiery comebacks make him popular with Opposition voters, but remember that he did not win a seat at the GE. 

But as TCB says, diplomacy is not debate. In conversations with Malaysia over railway, water and land, he had to maintain amicable, pleasant conversations. "That is diplomacy. We don't have to bang tables and show how clever we are sometimes." His answers are to the point and concise,and most importantly, honest. Rather than beat around the bush, he tells the truth firmly and quietly, whether the hearer likes the answer or not.

I am unashamed and clear of my decision to vote TCB as president, no matter what the majority vote is. I am voting for Balance, for Unity, and for a man whose life has demonstrated that he puts those in need above himself, and the good of Singaporeans above his own party, even his own reputation.