The March election should not be a lottery

The KMT authorities predicted in the first half of the year that independent presidential candidate James Soong's (宋楚瑜) popularity would decline in November and December and that the party would leak "stories" about Soong that would shock the nation.

But look: November is coming to an end and neither prediction has come true yet.

According to several media surveys, Soong's support ratings have remained at around 30-40 percent.

A new poll indicates that for the first time a majority of respondents believe Soong is likely to win the March 2000 election than KMT presidential candidate Lien Chan (3s戰). Given such data, the KMT can only pray that its prediction of Soong's popularity dropping to below 20 percent will occur in December.

In the meantime, the KMT, including its top officials, has repeatedly vowed to unveil Soong's "true colors," and many observers have been looking forward to the KMT move. However, we are still waiting.

Enter President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), who also serves as chairman of the KMT.

Lee is personally leading the KMT in characterizing the maverick politician as "Soong the Betrayer."

Lee has the clout to take the air out of Soong's high popularity ratings, and he knows the reportedly unsavory "stories" about Soong. Will he tell them in public?

There is no question that, among the presidential candidates, Soong's inner world is the hardest one to see through. While Lien looks as if he has done many stupid things, he doesn't appear to be very sophisticated. Even the so-called "stories" about him sound dull.

DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (3?糮?/CHINESE>) is a bit more crafty than Lien, but it's usually not very difficult to see through him. You can see it in his face, more or less.

In addition, Chen's DPP comrades have not tried to hide any secrets for him.

Nor has he ever tried to conceal his thoughts. One could say that Chen's mind is as transparent as gossamer.

However, in contrast, Soong's mindset seems to be about as transparent -- and as vague -- as frosted glass.

If one agrees that Soong was once one of the KMT's super cosmeticians, his campaign staff obviously has learned the master's tactics.

As spin doctors and public relations experts, they know how to keep Soong's image in fitting form -- and how to make whatever stains he has invisible.

Let's look again at the way the KMT operates: it accuses Soong of mighty trickery and ambition. But where are the facts and documents to back up the party's "accusations?" Just going round and round with campaign slurs and innuendo does not quite cut it.

Actually, when the KMT resorts to such tactics, Soong usually comes out looking even better, and this only proves him to be a masterful tactician. A truly slick politician.

If Soong's popularity ratings were low, it wouldn't really matter whether his true mindset was visible or not. But with a good chance to win in March, his "vagueness" may become a political risk later on. Consider this: if Soong is actually what he looks like, we should congratulate the electorate for voting for him. But if it turns out that he has concealed his true self, how will we cope with the mistake once he is in the Presidential Office?"

Since Lee has decided to do battle with Soong personally, why doesn't he tell us more about what he "knows" about Soong to allay any public fears?