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Former Seoul mayor Lee Myung-bak came top in every poll published in the media on Monday, scoring an average of 42 percent support, more than 20 percentage points ahead of the runner-up. The figure is exceptionally high given that neither ruling nor opposition parties have decided on their presidential candidates yet and there are still numerous hopefuls in the running. Some insiders say Lee will sweep the presidential elections this year. Pollsters believe Lee is enjoying a so-called bandwagon effect: news of his increasing support rates is persuading more people to declare for him. But they also say the public, some 70-80 percent of whom named reviving the economy as the top priority for the next administration, perceive Lee as economically savvy.
Some warn that Lee's sky-high support is only a short-term phenomenon and he is benefiting from disappointment at the administration and the ruling party. But GNP lawmakers say the support will hold since it is based on Lee's past performance and achievements.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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