Deputy Legislative Speaker Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) yesterday said that it would be a “lie” to say that she had put the controversy over her failed presidential bid completely behind her.
Speaking at the Taipei launch of her book, Unfinished Presidential Road, Hung said: “I wish the title of the book were different from what it is now. I would be lying if I said I am not sorry [over how things turned out], but I have to say I have no regrets or complaints.”
Hung was referring to the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) decision to rescind her candidacy in mid-October, almost three months after her nomination as the party’s official candidate on July 19. Citing her low poll ratings, the KMT replaced her with party Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫).
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
Hung said she had “vigorously visited different places when she was the candidate although [her] legs are short.”
“Under the young master [shaoye, 少爺], we now have a different and better fate,” she said, referring to Chu, betraying a hint of bitterness with her choice of words. “I have finished off the bitter days for him. I hope he can fare better down the road.”
Asked whether she has been invited to the opening of Chu’s campaign headquarters on Saturday, Hung said she had not yet received an invitation.
“However, that is a good day [according to the traditional calendar], so even if I am invited, I would go to those places where I am needed the most, such as the party’s legislative candidates’ rallies, as Chu’s event would certainly be crowded by heavyweights,” she said.
Hung also reiterated her cross-strait policy, saying that although it is not wrong to uphold “one China, different interpretations,” it could only maintain a fragile cross-strait relationship, but not a stable one.
“It is a pity that the idea did not have the ear of our comrades, and that is what I find the most regretful,” she said.
Hung had championed the new idea of “one China, same interpretation” during her campaign, which was also one of the reasons she was ousted, as KMT headquarters viewed it as “going against mainstream public opinion.”
She said she also found it extremely upsetting when she was discouraged by others, saying that Taiwanese are “gullible and difficult to teach,” when she was trying to promote her ideas.
“If [the saying] is true, then it all the more needs to be changed,” Hung said.
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