 Lange's main support were from MPs who saw Rowling as merely an impediment to their own ambitions to implement newer economic policy along globalized free market lines.Many in both the caucus and media saw Lange as the inevitable choice as leader and so turned their attention to the question of the deputy leadership.All three candidates were from Christchurch to reflect geographical proportionality, Mike Moore MP for , Geoffrey Palmer MP for and Ann Hercus MP for .