"Lee has successfully directed the media's focus and domestic political developments. In addition, the 35 legislators from different parties that Lee has worked to rally to Chen's side still hide under the surface. It's difficult to evaluate his actual strength," Hong said. "This is a headache for the KMT and the PFP. They must try to track the enemy and mend the loopholes within their parties."
Opposition parties counterattacked that Lee's strategy had escalated tension between ethnic groups and, in the words of PFP lawmaker Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄), "Lee has appealed to Taiwanization and localization, but he provokes ideological conflicts between Taiwanese and Chinese.
"Lee proclaimed that his mission was to assist in the future development of Taiwan. But, in reality, he is motivated by personal animosity. That is, Lee simply wants to eliminate Soong," said PFP vice chairman Chang Chao-hsiung (張昭雄).
Although the KMT has said that "Lee has retired" in an attempt to limit the likely damage from any close combat with Lee, its headquarters has cautiously predicted how many seats it might gain in the year-end elections.
KMT far from beaten
Former interior minister Huang Chu-wen (黃主文) privately revealed that as many as 50 or 60 legislators are willing to ally with the KMT. "Although not all of them can be elected, the KMT has the strength to form a majority alliance with the PFP. Furthermore, there must be other lawmakers who will cross over to our side after the elections." "As long as there is sufficient momentum, these people might form a new political party -- at the earliest in July -- before the year-end election, with Lee's support to help attract votes for them," said an aide to Huang.
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