Describing herself as being stranded in a situation where she has been blamed for everything she does, the vice president grumbled that the Presidential Office had showed no respect for her and that her good intentions had been frequently distorted.
Over the past year the outspoken Lu has often been censured by members of the DPP for not staying gracefully in the background. Speaking out in the interview, she opposed the notion generally heard that vice presidents should be seen and not heard.
"The Constitution has room for ambiguity or flexibility on the role of the vice president. The only ordinance is to state that the vice president is to replace the president when he is unable to run the government. But in the past, some vice presidents also served as premier," Lu noted.
"Therefore, in accordance with the Constitution vice presidents are not necessarily voiceless, and they are by no means powerless deputy state leaders."
She protested that Chen had failed to make good his campaign promise -- that she should be "a partner" to consult about national affairs, but now she is reduced to "a vase," -- an ornament
Political observers were quick to point out Lu's lack of political tact in making such comments.
Chin said that simply because there was no distinct regulation to categorize the authority of vice presidents in the Constitution, it is essential for Lu to maintain a harmonious relationship with Chen, because it is totally up to Chen to decide how much power he is willing to bestow upon his deputy.
"If Lu expects to gain more power, she should either win the trust of the president, or the hearts of the public, but she has failed in both respects," said Chin.
With respect to Lu's complaint directed at the media -- saying it has been unfair to her and was very adept at deliberately misinterpreting her words -- a political reporter, who preferred not to be identified, disagreed. She said the media's task was to chronicle and transmit facts truthfully.
"[The media's] job is to record [the vice president's] words and deeds, not to serve as her public relations officials.
"She is noted for her outspokenness, but as a vice president -- a focus of media attention -- she should keep tabs on every single word she utters," the journalist said. "Another problem is that she hasn't got a clue about how the media works, and thus is never able to foresee the impact on the media of her reckless comments."
"What she is suffering ... is not a result of the media's failure to truthfully represent her as a female vice president. Instead, the primary cause is Lu's personality. She is self-centered and obstinate, and never listens to the advice of others," she said.
RSS