However, looking at the internal workings of each faction, it is apparent that the the present-day LDP factions differ widely from their bygone counterparts. Most factional leaders have less influence than before. Among the nine LDP factions, only those of Aso and Tanigaki are expected to field their respective leaders as candidates in the next party presidential election. Other factions likely will--as they did in the last contest--jump on the bandwagon, while keeping an eye on machinations within the party. This is because siding with the winner offers a better chance of landing a major post. This kind of psychological tendency among party lawmakers may be a source of power for the factions in the future.
這是讀賣新聞政治分析 Koichi Akaza 對於派系不重返的分析
在讀賣新聞的報導中，福田康夫的「親子兩代首相」之路是這樣的：(1)自民黨必須經由黨內投票來決定總裁人選，其中包括眾院(304)與參院(83)議員，以及都道府縣黨部(每單3票)的票，共計 528 票。在投票結果中，福田取得 330 (62.6%) 票，麻生取得 197 票。一般而言，投票結果並不公告內容，不過根據讀賣新聞的調查，在地方票中，福田與麻生得票比是 76 對 65，顯示麻生在地方的支持勢力仍然相當驚人。福田的任期是續任至安倍任滿的 2009 年 9 月 30 日為止；(2)自週二起 (25 Sept)，參議院將推舉小澤一郎擔任首相，與眾院的福田進行對決，由於兩院人選不同，將舉行兩院協議會進行聯合協調，如果無共識，將由福田勝出。
