Several Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers from different factions scolded each other yesterday for soliciting favors from President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in a sleazy manner.
Three New Tide faction members, convener Tuan Yi-kang (段宜康) and two faction's old guards Lin Cho-shui (林濁水) and Hong Chi-chang (洪奇昌), and Justice Alliance member Lin Chung-mo (林重謨) were involved in a round of nasty verbal exchanges.
Lin Chung-mo began the quarrel when he highlighted Tuan's recent attack on the Control Yuan nominees and Lin Cho-shui's (
Lin Cho-shui also stated that "US President George W. Bush hates A-bian," Lin Chung-mo said.
Then, Lin Chung-mo criticized the New Tide faction for "impeding President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) at crucial moments." Lin asserted that Hong said after the Financial Holding Company Act (金控法) was passed that it was an act to save the president's supporters from future problems.
"On the surface the New Tide is pretending to be morally superior by criticizing the president, but under the table they are trying to solicit government posts," Lin Chung-mo said.
"Has the New Tide not solicited enough posts? Aren't National Security Council Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (邱義仁), Taiwan Stock Exchange Corp chairman Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁) and Council of Labor Affairs Chairwoman Chen Chu (陳菊) from the New Tide?" Lin Chung-mo asked, urging that the president should not be prevented from any action out of concerns for possible criticism from the New Tide.
"If the A-bian administration really sucks, as the New Tide said, all the New Tide officials should resign," Lin Chung-mo said.
Lin Cho-shui, meanwhile, stressed again that it was clear that Bush hated Chen from "lots of evidence," and urged the government to draft plans immediately to respond to the "situation."
"If Taiwan becomes a part of China, then what posts are left to be solicited?" Lin Cho-shui responded.
Tuan, who lost his legislative re-election bid, also gave Lin Cho-shui his support.
"A clown like Lin Chung-mo should not use the occasion of the party chairman election to gain publicity," Tuan said.
Earlier, Lin stated his intention to run for the DPP chairmanship.
"Lin Chung-mo should not try to show his loyalty to the president by attacking the New Tide," Tuan said.
"It is a strange thing that a man should need to state his loyalty to the president incessantly," Tuan said.
Hong, meanwhile, also denied the accusation and said that DPP members should be concerned about the country's future rather than fighting among themselves.
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