Hsieh, DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun and Premier Su Tseng-chang (
"We shall accept the results and the fact that we lost the election. That is the spirit of democracy. But I want to apologize to my supporters that I did not accomplish the mission and fulfill your wishes," Hsieh said. "I had a hard time as the ballots were cast this afternoon. But, failure is failure. I will accept it."
Yu Shyi-kun said that the party appreciated Frank Hsieh's efforts, although he did not win, because he gave a helping hand while the DPP was in a rut and frustrated by a seemingly endless series of scandals.
"Hsieh was willing to go for the election on behalf of the DPP although he knew it was going to be a difficult battle. For that, I sincerely express my gratitude to him," he said.
After the chairman finished his remarks, the premier and Hsieh left with him for DPP headquarters.
At campaign headquarters, Hsieh's chief campaign staff members, including Council of Labor Affairs Chairman Lee Ying-yuan and former Government Information Office minister Pasuya Yao (
But none of them seemed saddened by the defeat.
DPP Legislator Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said that Hsieh had demonstrated his ability to unite a team throughout the election.
"I would say that it will be better for him to plant more roots, instead of trying to lead the DPP at the moment. Making a change within the public is a lot more difficult than making a change inside the DPP," Kuan said.
Reporting by Flora Wang, Mo Yan-chih, Jimmy Chuang, Rich Chang and Mac William Bishop
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