Tan Jee Say and Tan Kin Lian
Tan Kin Lian tried too hard to be popular. He also made pledges that people know can’t be fulfilled. Having spoken out for some investors who lost their money doesn’t make him Voice of the People. That he wants to be Voice of the People makes him appear egoistic.
Tan Jee Say is confrontational. His supporters and team-mates re-in-forced that impression. He should have told his supporters to behave themselves. At his rally he should also have told the speakers to tone down the rhetoric and not to spread untrue rumours about another candidate. Most of the people at his rally were his supporters and there was no need to appeal to them. He only needed to persuade those who had not decided and had come to see whether they should vote for him. I guess they went away with a negative impression.
If either of them had dropped out of the contest, I think Tan Cheng Bock would have won.
Tan Cheng Bock and Tony Tan
Now, don't assume that supporters of Tony Tan are against Tan Cheng Bock and vice versa. I think many of them support both but it is just a matter of their order of preference.
If one of the Tans dropped out of the contest, I think the other Tan would have obtained at least 60% of the votes.
