Even without direct say, public influencing LDP race

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race will officially get under way Friday, but the outcome looks like a forgone conclusion to many: Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe will cruise to victory over his two rivals. </PARAGRAPH> <PHOTO> <TABLE WIDTH='250' ALIGN='RIGHT' BORDER='0'> <TR> <TD><IMG ALT='News photo' BORDER='0' SRC='../images/photos2006/nn20060905a4a.jpg' WIDTH='250' HEIGHT='161'/></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><FONT SIZE='1'><B>The three candidates vying for leadership of the ruling party, Foreign Minister Taro Aso –

, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe (center) and Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, attend an LDP regional meeting last week. KYODO PHOTO

Even though the public doesn't have a direct say in who becomes LDP president -- and thus prime minister -- because the leader is chosen by party members, Abe's popularity makes him a virtual shoo-in.