Soong's weaknesses lie in his origin as a mainlander and his long experience of working for the KMT, said Yang Tai-shuenn (
It is because he is not a native Taiwanese that Soong chose Chang Chao-hsiung (張昭雄), a Taiwanese born in southern Kaohsiung, as his running mate, Yang said.
While there is general euphoria for his choice now it remains to be seen how Chang will fare when there is realistic examination of his credentials, Yang said.
Soong's history of of suppressing local languages and culture when he was director of the Government Information Office (GIO) during martial law will likely be attacked by opponents, Yang said.
There is also the potential for trouble among Soong's supporters, who are loyal to him for different reasons and whose stands on certain issues could be totally different, said You Ying-lung, who is also a political science professor and a pollster by profession.
For example, on the so-called "two states" formula presented by President Lee Teng-hui (
"I doubt that Soong will be able to campaign on such issues sincerely," he said, as whatever stand Soong takes will certainly alienate a large part of his supporters, he said.
A weakness for Chen is that people are not comfortable with what could happen in Taiwan's relations with China if he is elected, Yang said.
"That's why he is revising his stance towards a `new middle way,'" he said.
For Lien, the problem is that he -- like George Bush when he was vice president to Ronald Reagan -- will find it difficult to move out of the shadow of President Lee Teng-hui.
"Lien should take his own position on major issues like cross strait relations," Ting said, "Even if that means means a diversion from what the president has been saying, since Lee would understand that he is not the KMT presidential candidate this time."
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