Given the sharp division in the nation's political scene, the presidential candidates for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) are moving toward the middle ground in hopes of attracting more grassroots support.
This was obviously what the KMT's presidential nominee, Ma Ying-jeou (
After choosing Vincent Siew (蕭萬長), a former premier and ethnic Taiwanese, as his running mate, Ma kicked off his so-called "learning tour." Policymaking, Ma said, should not be limited by a "Taipei perspective." Rather, it should be based on talking to and listening to the public.
The biggest challenge facing Ma is knowing how to strike a balance between embracing his identification with Taiwanese consciousness and his party's pro-unification agenda. KMT moves, such as incorporating "Taiwan-centered" values in the party charters, are evidence of Ma's attempts to take supporters away from the green camp.
However, judging by what Ma has displayed so far in the first two weeks of his "long stay" in local farming and fishing communities, the trip is merely a sham aimed at showing off the former KMT chairman's "charisma" to attract more votes.
Surrounded most of the time by officials and legislators, Ma has failed in his mission of getting in touch and conducting serious dialogue with the populace.
Moreover, Ma's idea of attempting to experience "a day in the life of farmers and fishermen" only reflects his lack of understanding and poor knowledge of the public's needs, which shows how cut off he is from the public pulse.
A great leader may not necessarily come from the masses, but he or she must know the hearts and minds of the rank and file. Most important, he or she must be able to speak the language of the voters. Speaking the same language does not simply mean speaking fluent Taiwanese or Hakka, but encompasses a deep understanding of the people's daily lives, experience and thoughts. It's a long-term cultural interaction, rather than "short stay" cheap political talk, handshakes and photo opportunities.
A key factor behind President Chen Shui-bian's (
In this regard, DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) enjoys a political advantage over Ma. Although he hails from Taipei, Hsieh has successfully developed a solid political base in southern Taiwan through his two terms as Kaohsiung mayor. He is also well-known for his skills in bridging partisan differences in the Kaohsiung City Council.
Those local experiences enriched Hsieh's political vision of "reconciliation and co-existence," paving the way for his rise in the political ladder.
To close the gap with local voters and overcome accusations of a weak understanding of southerners, Ma should have moved to Kaohsiung or Tainan soon after he stepped down as Taipei mayor or resigned as KMT chairman. Ma could have used this period to build up a base of support in the southern cities and learn how to fit in with society, rather than simply tour the nation.
Planning a weeklong "short stay" in local constituencies will not help Ma effectively communicate with the middle ground voters or light-green supporters. It has only further exposed Ma's Achilles heel.
Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.
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