Chang's run for mayor a pickle for `pan-blue' camp

Former minister of the interior Chang Po-ya's (張博雅) candidacy in the Kaohsiung mayoral race has foiled the "pan-blue" camp's plans in the campaign, forcing it to seriously consider supporting her, analysts said.

What kind of relationship to maintain with Chang -- becoming her ally or ignoring her, is posing a difficult question for the KMT and PFP as both parties are attempting to oust the DPP incumbent, Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), from the mayoralty.

"If both Chang and the KMT-PFP joint candidate are to run in the race, neither will stand a chance, and Hsieh will benefit from the situation," said KMT Secretary-General Lin Fong-cheng (林豐正).

Chang, who only decided to run for the mayoralty after her nomination for Examination Yuan vice president was rejected by the legislature last month, is considered a viable contender for the Kaohsiung mayoral race in light of her high profile.

Chang was the mayor of Chiayi, a legislator and head of the Department of Health before she became minister of the interior.

Despite the competition of four aspirants including PFP Vice Chairman Chang Chao-hsiung (張昭雄) for the KMT-PFP joint candidacy for Kaohsiung mayor, the two parties have promised to be flexible with their selection process, though they have told Chang Po-ya whether they will ask her to be their primary candidate.

PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) recently indicated that his party would not rule out the possibility of recommending a candidate from outside the KMT and PFP if there were someone more suitable than Chang Chao-hsiung for the mayoral bid.

"In addition to the chance of victory, the political affiliation of Chang Po-ya is another factor when deciding whether the `pan-blue' camp would throw its support behind her," said PFP heavyweight and Legislator Liu Sung-pan (劉松藩).

Chang, an influential figure from a local political faction in Chiayi City, used to maintain a friendly relationship with both the "pan-blue" and "pan-green" camps.

Soong had invited her to become his running mate in the 2000 presidential election, but the plan did not work out.

She accepted President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁)offer to join the DPP government two years ago, but her relationship with the DPP turned sour after last month's confirmation vote for the Examination Yuan nomination, in which she blamed the DPP for not working hard enough to support her.

Her rivalry with the DPP convinced her to run against Hsieh and sought the support of the "pan-blue" camp for her candidacy.

While Chang's factional re-sources are attractive to the "pan-blue" camp, which is seeking to beat Chen in the 2004 presidential race, some have doubted if these resources would be transferred to the "pan-blue" camp just because Chang decided to run under the "pan-blue" banner in the Kaohsiung mayoral race.

Also, the KMT would face problems persuading the party's three aspirants to drop their bids and convincing its core supporters to get behind the selected candidate if it were to nominate someone outside the KMT and PFP for Kaohsiung mayor.