With the central government's finances squeezed at the moment, Ma's gesture at yesterday's Cabinet meeting could be seen as a win-win tactic to gain support in the year-end election.
Ma would gain credit if the government agreed to his request for financial support for those who lost their jobs as a result of the drought. But, if the government refuses to provide compensation, Ma could easily blame the Executive Yuan for its stinginess.
Lee Kuo-hsiung (李國雄), deputy director of the Institute of International Relations at National Chengchi University, said he regarded both the central and city governments as being good at political grandstanding.
"In politics, there's no such a thing as right or wrong, only political interests," he said. "I personally think that both the city and central governments are doing what they can to help themselves."
Although not many people are interested in seeing such a political game, Lee said, the public is forced to accept it.
"I believe the incident will make national headlines in tomorrow's newspapers," he said.
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