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Chen takes blame for poll debacle

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) tried to shore up the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the wake of its stinging defeat in last Saturday's elections, but some members called for a new strategy altogether.

"It feels terrible to face a lost election. But this is the decision of the people," Chen wrote in a weekly electronic newsletter published on his Web site, www.president.gov.tw.

"However, being incorruptible, diligent and loyal to homeland Taiwan remains the ruling party's deep belief," Chen wrote.

Chen blamed the DPP's misfortunes on "certain party members," whose inappropriate behavior, he said, negatively affected the party's performance.

Chen's first comments on the elections gave no clues as to how -- or even whether -- he would meet growing demands for him to reshuffle his Cabinet.

The president, whose approval rating has dived to a record low, is facing growing pressure to reshuffle his Cabinet and possibly seek French-style `cohabitation,' in which the president and premier belong to different parties.

Analysts said the DPP's defeat could be blamed on its poor administrative record during Chen's five years in office and the recent corruption scandal involving a former presidential aide.

Many in the pan-green camp are not willing to let the president off the hook.

"We have to reach a consensus about a new Cabinet and both the ruling and opposition camps. Otherwise, we will only be talking about moving people around, but there still will not be any clearly defined rules of the game, vision or goals," DPP Legislator Lin Cho-shui (林濁水) wrote yesterday in the Chinese-language Apple Daily.

"In this case the DPP will repeat its past mistakes and be unable to solve problems at all," he wrote.

Quoting a Chinese saying that "only those who know shame can be called brave (知恥近乎勇)," Chen said he is resolved to review himself deeply and face the reality.

"I have seriously considered the criticism and decided to shoulder all responsibilities. I will also bravely walk out of the shadows of the setback," Chen wrote.

However, according to Lin, this was not enough.

"Chen must propose his vision, strategies, and medium and short-term goals for the next two years systematically and transparently," Lin wrote.

"His final selection of a premier should only be made after sharing these consideration with the Cabinet, party members and other agencies," Lin wrote.

"Only by doing all of this can he be considered to have engaged in a thorough self-examination and only then will there be a possibility of establishing a new political situation for Taiwan," Lin said.

Chen's choice of delivering his comments on elections via the Internet provoked different reactions inside the party.

"The president should at least show up in public formally. We've discussed elections in our Central Standing Committee meeting and many factors regarding the failure are actually about Chen," DPP Legislator Lee Chun-yee (李俊毅) said.

DPP Legislator Wang Shu-hui (王淑慧), however, said it should be acceptable because Chen's newsletter has clearly stated the president's thoughts.
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