Ma campaigns on being a man of the peopleLiberty Times: What are your views about the state of the mayoral election campaign?
Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九): I have never dared to be complacent about the year-end elections. Even if my ratings in the polls are relatively high now, many changes could still take place in the almost two months remaining. I believe my opponent will do everything in his power to boost his offensive. He will mobilize all the forces at his disposal, including past and present heavyweights from government offices, government branches and the party to make appearances on his behalf. I am fully prepared to deal with these contingencies. I am confident that I will continue for another term in office. But this will be a trying process.
LT: Lee Ying-yuan (
Ma: It would be difficult for me to find anyone of former president Lee Teng-hui's (
I believe the people of Taipei are looking at the candidates and won't focus on who gets up on stage to promote them.
LT: What is your campaign strategy?
Ma: My campaign strategy is very simple. I'm asking what the people of Taipei really want. The sluggish economy and rising unemployment have already put a lot of pressure on people. Although the unemployment rate in Taipei is the second lowest in Taiwan, there are still over 10,000 people out of work in the city. There are three primary reasons for this state of affairs: human factors that have caused economic stagnation, policies that have created difficulties for people and a series of natural disasters in Taipei City.
Taiwan is now facing its slowest rate of economic development, highest rate of unemployment and highest misery index in history. How to extricate Taiwan from these economic difficulties will be the greatest policy test in the upcoming presidential election in a year and a half.
Taiwan needs talented leaders, not talented campaigners. Otherwise, what use is it if someone gets elected but people's lives are still unsatisfactory? The central government can't place all the responsibility for the sluggish economy on the global economic environment, ignoring the fact that the actions of those in government have also been a factor.
For example, former premier Chang Chun-hsiung's (張俊雄) very "bold" announcement that the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant would be scrapped cost Taiwan NT$30 billion to NT$40 billion in damages. Do we really want that kind of boldness in our leaders? So-called "petty politicians" act with the next election foremost in their minds. Statesmen work for the well-being of the next generation. The important thing now is to do some hard thinking about what policies will extricate Taiwan from its economic difficulties.
The second factor behind our troubles is that policies have created difficulties for people. For example, the diversified high school enrollment scheme and education-reform policies have created endless headaches for parents. Rather than wasting energy by debating certain problems that are totally beside the point, we would be better off concerning ourselves with how to stabilize the situation and getting through this difficult time together with the people of Taipei. My strategy is that regardless of how my campaign is going, there can be no compromise in this area. The quality of life for residents of Taipei must not decline. Putting such considerations aside for the sake of campaigning is not my style, and it's not what people want to see in a mayor either. I have never set out to downplay or to play up the election question, but I always keep in mind that a mayor should respond to the will of the people.
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