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Pinning down the blue camp strategy

Friday, Jan 30, 2004, Page 4

Taipei Times: How would you assess the alliance's overall electoral outlook? Southern Taiwan in particular has traditionally been viewed as the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) stronghold -- what's your strategy to attract votes for your candidates in this region?

Wang Jin-Pyng (王金平): The outlook in southern Taiwan is firming. I personally feel that the promotion [of presidential and vice presidential candidates] Lien Chan (連戰) and James Soong (宋楚瑜) in this region is improving, meaning that it is easier now to get their message across. Of course, there are still more offensive and defensive maneuvers to be seen in the days ahead, and we have to be alert for any changes at all times.

But central Taiwan is where I think the alliance still holds quite an advantageous position.

The same thing can be said for Taipei City, which is looking good too. A majority of the districts in Taipei City are made up of people who are highly educated, and most of them accept the policies proposed by the alliance. We need to maintain our advantage in this region.

In Taipei County, an electorate that makes up one-quarter of the national vote, I am also confident of the outcome if we keep working hard.

There are three main elements in the campaign. First, the candidates: We need to show off the strengths of both Lien and Soong and let people know about their leadership abilities and have them realize that they possess the ability to govern the nation and are the optimum candidates to hold the nation's top jobs.

What people have not realized in the past, but have become more aware of over the past three years, is how necessary it is for a national leader to be steady and cautious. And that's what we need to let people know -- that the pairing of Lien and Soong possesses these characteristics.

Second, the campaign mat-erial: It must cover all issues, including, for instance, the matter of party assets, and must consist of both defensive and offensive strategies throughout the entire campaign. The need for defensive and offensive strategies on every issue will continue until votes are cast on election day. And that's why we call it a "propaganda war," because the campaign headquarters and the candidates themselves are, at all times, playing vital roles in absorbing and communicating their respective agendas.

The third main element is mobilization. In the past, mobilizing support has been the strong point of the KMT, but now the DPP has also learned to attach importance to this. We must not be complacent in the light of this change.

If we can counter vote-buying and mobilize support successfully, then I think the outlook for us is quite optimistic.

TT: You said that it is easier now to promote Lien and Soong in southern Taiwan. Could you elaborate on this?

Wang: As I have often said, the DPP's biggest asset now is its administrative resources. We don't need to be jealous of that because access to such resources comes with being in government.

The greatest advantage the pan-blue camp has now is public opinion. Many people have grown dissatisfied with the DPP administration over the past three years, and this dissatisfaction is continuing to escalate. It is therefore easier for the alliance to promote its candidates under these circumstances.

In southern Taiwan, the people are really beginning to feel the changes in Lien after witnessing his personal effort and the kindness, confidence and leadership ability which he has demonstrated during campaign rallies. There is also the richness of his campaign speeches and the impression he makes in his delivery.

For example, Lien delivers campaign speeches without need-ing to read from a script. He cogently expresses his ideas, which indicates to the public that he has a sound understanding of national affairs. The size of his vote is getting larger because of it.

Soong has also been convincing in his role [as Lien's running mate], conducting himself in a manner suitable to his status. And by demonstrating his familiarity with infrastructure projects, development and the like, which he picked up during his time as provincial governor, the public has remembered and reconnected with what he contributed.

What we want now is to make them have as much contact with the grassroots as possible, and that's what we have been doing lately, sending them on lots of visits to villages and townships around the country.

TT: This is a joint campaign between the KMT and the PFP. How do you interact with members of the PFP?

Wang: Cooperation between the two parties is much more effective this time than during the 2002 legislative election. We incorporate talents from both parties in our campaign work.

The decision-making body within the national campaign framework consists of myself; the alliance's national executive campaign manager, Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九); the secretaries-general of both parties, who manage the implementation of strategy; and the heads of key departments such as policy management and publicity. We meet, deliberate and then decide. There is no basis to the rumors that we discriminate against ideas put on the table by the PFP. As long as there is a good idea, we will use it.
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