They are young, but they aren't lightweights. They are political insiders, the president's men.
Although many factors contributed to President Chen Shui-bian's triumph in March, it's safe to say that primary among them was the focused effort of three of his closest aides -- Luo Wen-chia (
They have formed a powerful triangle, helping Chen emerge victorious in most of his campaign battles, from his legislative election in 1992 and the Taipei mayor's race in 1994, to his narrow victory for the nation's top post. But they are not eternal winners. In 1998, Chen's unexpected defeat in the re-election for Taipei mayor taught them something more about the quicksand that dots the political landscape.
This triumvirate of thirtysomethings has been instrumental in helping Chen shed the party's stereotypical image of being sorrowful victims of political persecution, a move that helped them win the Taipei mayoralty. Though seemingly not in positions of substantial power, their influence upon Chen remains enormous. Luo, a master strategist and publicist, will be the vice-chairman of the Council for Cultural Affairs (
Keeping a low-profile will help deflect criticism of their youth and inexperience in national government, says Lin Chia-lung (
Lin Jin-chan (林錦昌)
Age:33
Education:Bachelor of Arts, Department of Foreign Languages and Literature of NTU, 1989
Current Position:Secretary to the President
Past Positions:
1.July 1996 - Oct. 1997 - Consulatant to the Taipei City Government
2.Dec. 1997 - Oct. 1998 - Chairman of Taipei City's Department of Information
Ma Yong-cheng (馬永成)
Age:34
Education:Bachelor of Arts, Political Science Department of NTU, 1989
Current Position:Secretary to the President
Past Positions:
1.April 1997 - Oct. 1998 - Deputy Secretary - General of Taipei City Government
2.Oct. 1997 - Oct. 1998 - Spokesman of Taipei City Government
3.1991-1994 - Legislative assistant to Chen Shui-bian
Luo Wen-chia (羅文嘉)
Age:34
Education:Bachelor of Arts, Political Science Department of National Taiwan University (NTU), 1989
Current Position:Vice Chairman of the Council for Cultural Affairs
Past Positions:
1.Dec. 1994 - Oct. 1997 - Chairman of Taipei City's Government of Information
2.1991-1994 - Legislative assistant to Chen Shui-bian
And it will help them prove, he says, that "they are no longer those callow young aides at the Taipei City Government."
Luo Wen-chia (羅文嘉)
Having established himself as one of Chen's principal aides for almost a decade, Luo, at 34, is not a new face to the media.
In 1989, he grabbed the public spotlight by putting a hat inscribed with "the people's savior (民族救星)" on a statue of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石), in the auditorium of National Taiwan University (NTU). The intent was to challenge the absurdity that Chiang, a tyrant for many Taiwanese, was worshipped as a national hero. As NTU's student body chairman, his action triggered enormous controversy.
Since 1991, Luo has been a creative force for Chen's campaigns, a brainstormer who pitches wild ideas that nonetheless have broad appeal. It is in the realm of grueling campaign politics that he is most comfortable. Among political activities, he says publicity is his favorite because it feels the least political. "It is an independent territory, where my imagination can run freely."
Luo served as Taipei City's Department of Information (新聞處) chairman from 1994 to 1997 when Chen was mayor. It was at this time that Taipei made efforts to do away with its drab appearance and to transform itself into an international metropolis, full of color and vitality.
It was the first time the city government threw a street party; poetry and verse was posted on busses; the mayor's image was made more familiar. It was Luo's idea to dress Chen as Santa Claus and Superman.
But Luo's novel approach has drawn criticism and he has been accused of currying people's favor with claptrap. He even stepped down from his post because two contestants fractured their arms at a tug-of-war he organized. That he is a resourceful aide is unquestionable, however. "To keep learning and to make progress makes me feel happiest," he says. "The value of life is not based on one's social status or wealth. Instead, it depends on how much you can get out of it [life]."
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