The then-New Party runner Wang Chien-shien (
While the opposition camp painted Saturday's elections as a vote of confidence on the Chen administration, Wu refused to bill the DPP's expected failure in Taipei as an indication of a lack of confidence in Chen.
"The party's loss has a lot to do with the public's displeasure with the economic climate," Wu said. "Although I don't think that the mayoral elections should be seen as a test-run for the presidential election, they may indeed serve as an important indicator."
Chin attributed Ma's victory to the mainstream media's one-sided adulation, instead of his achievements.
"Ma's sex appeal and genteel nature makes him a favorite of the media and a formidable competitor," Chin said. "His campaign strategy, in which Ma refused to respond to the criticism leveled by Lee, also worked well."
Although Hsieh won the Kaohsiung election, Wu said that he did not expect him to win by such a narrow margin, pointing out the negative impact mudslinging and defamation had on Hsieh's bid.
"If it wasn't for the allegation of his involvement in the Zanadau case and the integration of the pan-blue camp, he could have garnered more votes," Wu said.
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