Another irony is that the focus on public speaking may be obfuscating the issues, rather than making them easier for the public to understand. Since Chen's administration has not been able to attract majority support from the public, let alone stop boycotts by the opposition, his public statements only turn discussions of issues into partisan disputes. The controversies over the "spirit of 1992" and "the 1992 consensus," the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant (核四) and the economic stimulus plans are crystal-clear examples of this problem.
What Chen needs right now is the ability to "spin," to manipulate information on key issues to the benefit of his government. As a national leader, Chen should understand there is a vital synergy between issues and image. He should not adopt policy positions in the hope of shaping a favorable image. Rather, he should first identify his desired image, then select policy positions congruent with that image. By throwing out key issues for public discussion, the president can ensure that policy decisions are consistent with majority opinion. Image molds and directs the political agenda, not the other way around.
Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.
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