In every public speech, President-elect Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is able to enchant voters with great eloquence. Apparently, he lacks such charm with his wife, however, who describes the nation's charismatic leader as a most "unromantic" husband.
On Mother's Day, first lady Wu Shu-chen (
"After I got the flower from my son, I asked A-bian, `Why not send me two more roses?' He quickly took out NT$150 and said to the maid: `Buy two roses for me,' which was really a fun killer," Wu said, recalling the conversation with Chen on Mother's Day.
"He never speaks of romantic things. And he failed to meet my requirements for an ideal husband, who should be humorous and handsome," Wu said.
"But he is outstanding, which is the most important of my three requirements for an ideal husband. And more importantly, he is very patient, so patient that he is able to stand my bad temper from time to time."
The marriage took place without parental blessing. Wu, the spoiled daughter of a famous doctor, chose Chen, the son of a poor peasant, as her lifetime partner despite strong objections from her family. Wu said it was Chen's perseverance that eventually overcome the odds against them.
Reflecting on their life, Wu said that their family had enjoyed the time Chen practiced law as a maritime attorney.
"I thought he would practice law for the rest of his life. It never crossed my mind he would become involved in politics and become president one day," Wu said. Indeed, Chen's entrance into politics, starting with his election to Taipei city council in 1981, was not something the family of four had planned on.
"I didn't like him being involved in politics in the beginning. But I couldn't stop him," Wu said. "He promised me he would quit after serving one term as city councilor. But after that, he ran for the legislature. You know, you can never win an argument with someone who has studied law." Despite the complaints, Wu admitted that, in the end, it has been proven that Chen was meant for politics.
"A-bian has a kind of charm with voters, especially in Southern Taiwan, with his grassroots image and language. And his success is encouraging for the poor, with whom A-bian has shared the same experiences," Wu said.
Wu said it has been a long journey to get to the stage they are at now and they have suffered many hardships and setbacks to reach it.
"It's a success achieved step by step -- from city councilor to lawmaker, and from mayor to president. I know my husband, he always wants to be number one and he won't quit before he has climbed to the top," Wu said.
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