Lee struggles to make date with Ma

DPP mayoral candidate Lee Ying-Yuan (李應元) yesterday pressed Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to be more flexible over the date of a proposed second debate between them.

Representatives from the two camps were unable to reach a consensus on Monday as to when the debate should be held.

"I don't understand why the Ma camp is confining itself to such limited choices," Lee said while campaigning in Sungshan district yesterday. "For the sake of Taipei residents' rights to gain a better insight [on the candidates], Ma should accommodate other options."

Lee questioned Ma's sincerity in wanting to have a second debate after negotiations failed on Monday.

While the Ma camp insists on the debate being held on either Sunday, or Monday or Tuesday next week, the Lee camp prefers either Nov. 30 or Dec. 1.

"Taking part in televised debates is an important part of the democratic system," Lee said. "I don't understand what misgivings Ma has with regard to that and why the whole matter needs to be so complicated?"

The two camps will meet again today to discuss the date of the debate, said Peng Tien-haw (彭天豪), a spokesperson for Lee's campaign.

Peng blamed the failure of Monday's negotiations on the Ma camp's attitude, saying it appeared they were trying to downplay the debates because of Ma's lack of confidence in his governance.

"One of the dates proposed by the Ma camp falls on Monday," Peng said. "They even implied that it's OK to have the debate on weekday afternoons or evenings.

"Since most people are busy with work in the afternoon and tune in to their favorite prime-time shows at night, what kind of viewership do you expect for a debate held during weekday afternoon or nights?" Peng said.

Ma's campaign spokesperson, King Pu-tsung (金浦聰), however, said in a press release that it was not fair for the Lee camp to blame the failure to reach an agreement on the Ma camp.

King said he hoped both sides would reach a consensus in today's negotiations.

DPP Legislator Hong Chi-chang (洪其昌), who is managing Lee's campaign, said that after last Saturday's debate, Lee has become the major player in his campaign, despite concerns that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) had outshone the DPP candidate.

Hong said Chen and the entire DPP administration would continue to campaign for Lee over the remaining weekends before the election on Dec 7.

Hong called on Ma to face the challenge by taking part in more debates with Lee.

Four years ago, Chen, campaigning for re-election as Taipei City mayor, held five debates with Ma before the election

Hong said that Lee would publish a white paper in two weeks detailing who would be included in his administration and his visions for the city.