The chairmen of the nation's three biggest parties were in Kaohsiung yesterday stumping for their candidates three days before the election.
The DPP's chairman, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), attended a rally with his wife Wu Shu-chen (
But it was the scandals that have plagued the two candidates over the past week that dominated the day's campaigning.
At his rally yesterday evening, Hsieh said that he would quit politics if it was proved he was involved in the Zanadau scandal.
Last week, KMT legislator Lee Chuan-chiao (李全教) claimed that Hsieh received a NT$4.5 million check in 1994 from Zanadau Development Corp vice president Su Hui-chen (蘇惠珍). Su has denied the claim.
Hsieh said he would suspend campaigning for a day to confront Lee at TaipeiBank about Lee's allegations.
"If it is proved that I am involved, I'll end my political career here and give up the election campaign," Hsieh said. He said he would quit his post if he was later found to have been involved.
The Kaohsiung mayor also urged Huang, his main opponent, to take the same attitude.
With both sides claiming impropriety by the other, "anti-blackening," referring to the blackening of the candidates' names, has become a common slogan used by both DPP and KMT camps in Kaohsiung.
Hsieh said that recent attempts to sully his name had deeply hurt not only him but also his wife, Yu Fang-chih (游芳枝).
"I'm disappointed about the spread of these rumors, suggesting that I swindle people out of their money," said a sobbing Yu.
At Hsieh's campaign rally last night at the Pao-an Temple, President Chen repeated a plea he made on Tuesday for voters to ignore the mud-slinging of the opposition camp.
Chen said that the Kaohsiung mayoral election was a way to choose the best person to serve residents rather than a preliminary skirmish of the 2004 presidential race.
"The collaboration between Hsieh and I will ensure good relations between the central government and Kaohsiung City Government," Chen said, adding that this would be the best way to reduce the gap between the north and the south.
"There's already someone who always tries to oppose me. That's enough," Chen said, alluding to his disagreements with Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Wu last night also condemned the recent spread of rumors, including one saying that she went dancing every night and another that her husband also received a check for NT$4.5 million from Zanadau.
"All nonsense," Wu said, urging the public to keep their heads clear.
Hsieh also used the rally to promote his record in office to appeal to thousands of spectators for support.
Hsieh said that he had made progress in promoting cultural affairs and that there were now many places in the southern city where people could spend leisure time with their families, including the Golden Lion Lake Scenic Area where the rally was held.
At a rally for KMT candidate Huang, KMT Chairman Lien predicted victory for his party.
"We shall feel very happy," Lien said, "because the last four years of nightmare is going to end, and we are seeing the morning light welcoming a bright new day."
Soong also attended Huang's rally, characterizing Hsieh's administration as tainted by "black gold."
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