Lien, Soong alter image to court youth vote

To prove that their joint ticket is not a rehash of the politics of the elderly, both KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) lately have been seen sporting a younger look in an attempt to convince voters that their ages will not detract from leading the country.

A joint presidential ticket is coming closer to becoming a reality as Lien and Soong signed a memorandum of understanding in February on the formation of a KMT-PFP alliance and a joint ticket for next March's presidential election, with Soong running for the vice president slot.

The DPP has since depicted the pairing of 67-year-old Lien and 61-year-old Soong as a team of old men, offering no vigor as national leaders. Seeking re-election, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is 52 years old.

"Leadership is not about age but about wisdom and experience," Lien told an audience at the KMT's National Party Congress last week.

Despite that being said, one nonetheless note that both Lien and Soong have changed their their wardrobes as they opt for a more youthful look to court younger voters.

Both Lien and Soong have been seen ditching their darker suits, which they've often worn in the past, for a lighter shade.

For instance, Soong was seen wearing ivory suits with a yellow tie last Wednesday when meeting with Lien to discuss technical details on their parties cooperation.

On another occasion, Soong sported silver gray suits coordinated with a gray plaid tie.

Both Lien and Soong have been seen wearing shirts of lighter shades, such as baby blue and pink.

Lien tossed his think-lens eye-glasses in exchange for eye-glasses that have a thinner frame and a more updated look.

Beyond outward changes, Lien, who has long been perceived by many as a wooden politician who uses insipid campaign language, has also been lowering his profile when he comes into contact with the public.

In an apparent attempt to improve his public image, Lien has also been speaking openly with the media about his personality, his family and his relationship with his children.

"Lien has started to let his charisma and distinguishing characteristics shine through [when addressing crowds]," said professor of political science at the National Taiwan University Ger Yeong-kuang (葛永光).

KMT vice chairperson Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) said "Lien appears to be more active and confident than before."

To bring Lien closer to the nation's younger voters, the KMT camp has organized various events such as school anniversary celebrations, forums with young adults and sporting events where Lien will make an appearance.

Lien will be addressed at these events by the nickname "brother Chan" (戰哥) in another attempt to take the campaign to the nation's youth.

Soong has changed his public speaking style by incorporating English terms, Taiwanese and slang into his speeches.

Saying that all these changes have been made to court young people's votes, the TSU's Department of Culture and Information chief Hsiao Kwan-yu (蕭貫譽) said that "outward changes of both Lien and Soong can not disguise their innate characters."

"Both Lien and Soong know that their age is one of their biggest weaknesses [in their bid for next March's presidential campaign] and so they are trying to disguise it," Hsiao said.

"While it is very easy to change one's outward appearance, their innate character -- conservative, anti-democratic and anti-localization -- remains the same," he said.