A democratic party should not follow a strong-man leadership or encourage personal heroism. The problem now is that Lien has not taken a stand. If Lien announces that he won't make a second presidential bid, many people will express their interest in running.
TT: Many people argue that it is impossible for the KMT to win the 2004 presidential election unless it cooperates with the PFP. What do you think about that?
Shyu: I don't believe it. In central and southern Taiwan, the PFP doesn't exist at all. In those areas, what exist are the population and factional structures established under a political culture formed during the past 50 years of the KMT in power. This situation was clearly demonstrated in the January elections for deputies to county councils around Taiwan, in which the PFP won only a few seats, compared with the KMT, which seized over 70 percent of the seats.
The KMT is a major party in Taiwan, and it is impossible for the KMT to treat the PFP as its equal or even let the PFP lead the KMT by the nose just because the PFP has made a deceptive show of its power.
TT: The Generation-E Alliance's opinion that the KMT should not cooperate with the PFP is obviously different from Lien's inclination toward such cooperation. Is there a struggle going on within the KMT over the party line?
Shyu: The existence of different opinions within the party doesn't mean the party is going to split. A democratic party needs brainstorming to gather momentum and keep its vitality. It is true that the KMT has differences within the party, but the most important characteristic of the KMT is that it is a party of tolerance. The so-called struggle over the party line is a phenomenon occurring in the process of the party's democratization. It doesn't matter how many different opinions exist in the party as long as there is a system within the party for decision making.
TT: Former President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) and the TSU have criticized Lien for leading the KMT toward a pro-China path. Do you think this criticism is fair?
Shyu: Too many politicians have put "localization" in their mouths to try to glorify themselves. This is a most evil act. They are narrowing the meaning of localization.
Localization should not be defined by ethnic origins. Localization means to prioritize the development of Taiwan.
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