Playing ethnic or ideological cards might help the DPP gain some ground in the polls, but it poses potential danger as well, Wu said.
"It might work a little for the mayoral polls but it might undermine the presidential election or sabotage Chen's political image if they go too far," Wu said.
Wu, who claims to be friends with both Ma and Lee Ying-yuan, said that it would be a tough fight for Lee although the two have similar professional experience and educational background.
"The incumbent Ma is popular and has a lot of charisma, while Lee is starting late and has a ways to catch up," Wu said.
"My suggestion to Lee is that he pay more attention to public issues and not take opinion polls too seriously," he added.
Commenting on the delay of Lee's nomination, Wu said that the DPP may see the Taipei mayoral poll as a litmus test for the 2004 presidential election.
"Even the DPP loses the poll, it's a good way to gauge how much support the `pan-blue' camp can garner," Wu said.
Although Lee has said that he would like to have a "gentleman's race" with Ma, Wu said that he is not that optimistic about the notion.
"Sometimes, a candidate just can't dictate how to pay the game -- he can only follow the campaign strategy formulated by his party," Wu said.
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