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>
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<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.
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