Mr Membe, a close ally of President Kikwete—perhaps among the few who are still surviving politically within the current regime—is viewed by some within and outside the ruling party as the choice of the First Family. Mr Membe boasts of being clean and a true patriotic who puts his country first and has been one of Mr Lowassa’s main challengers.
Hata hivyo, taarifa zinasema kwamba hali si shwari ndani ya kambi ya Lowassa na wafuasi wake wamekuwa wakitoa maneno makali dhidi ya Rais Kikwete na wasaidizi wake ndani ya CCM, akiwamo Makamu Mwenyekiti, Philip Mangula, Katibu Mkuu Abdulrahman Kinana na Katibu wa Itikadi na Uenezi, Nape Nnauye kwa madai kwamba hawampendi mgombea wao.