In elections, trying to please everyone is clearly unrealistic

Early this week, news broke that a candidate for the next Chief Executive election intends to resume the electoral reform process, while pledging to adopt a gentler approach to implementation of Article 23 of the Basic Law.

Article 23 is, of course, the controversial law that would prohibit treason, secession, sedition and subversive activities against the central government. It would also prohibit foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in Hong Kong.

This candidate believes that challenges to the government's legitimacy must be clarified before there can be any realization of dual universal suffrage. But one can't help wonder whether such a proactive move is really just an attempt by this individual to "massage" the central government, and this is in order to pave a smoother path for himself in the Chief Executive race.