The Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong and the Federation of Trade Unions, the flagships of traditional patriotism in Hong Kong, were among the first groups showing their backing for Tung Chee-hwa's bid for a second term back in December, 2001. The two groups threw their weight behind Mr Tung even before the former chief executive formally announced his decision to seek re-election.
Compared with the business leaders and pro-government figures who scrambled to heap praise on Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's abilities to become the next chief executive, the traditional pro-government camp's support for the hot favourite's bid to succeed Mr Tung has been obviously half-hearted, if not lukewarm.
The DAB, renamed the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong after its final merger with the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance in April, remains non-committal on Mr Tsang's bid nearly a week after he announced his decision to stand.
Although the leaders of the DAB consider Mr Tsang a better candidate than other contenders for the top job, the pro-government flagship withheld its support for the former chief secretary's candidacy until the party's central committee gave its expected but long-awaited backing on Tuesday.
And while he praised Mr Tsang's competence, Federation of Trade Unions chairman Wong Kwok-kin said the union might not require its members on the 800-strong Election Committee to jointly support a candidate for the top job.
Even DAB legislator Choy So-yuk stirred things up in April when she warned of discontent with Mr Tsang in the patriotic camp. In her broadcast on RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong, she said there seemed to be a cultural gap and emotional distance between Mr Tsang and patriotic forces. Describing Mr Tsang as a staunch supporter of British rule over past decades, Ms Choy said: 'He was viewed by some in the pro-Beijing camp as disrespectful of the patriotic values they cherished and treasured over the decades, and paid dear prices for. His elevation alienated quite a few in this camp.'