President Chen Shui-bian (
"Although I am very disappointed with President Chen's performance over the years, I don't think he should step down for what his son-in-law has done," said Michelle Wang (
Besides, Chen's resignation may have a negative impact on the political climate, she said.
"Have the pan-green academics ever assessed the psychological impact on pan-green supporters? Have they come up with any contingency plan if the president does resign? And who can guarantee the pan-blue camp will not capitalize on the political turmoil and seek political gain?" she said.
A group of pan-green academics on Saturday urged Chen to seriously consider stepping down because they said he had lost credibility and the people's trust.
Wang said that it was understandable that their "old friends" desperately wanted to see the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) conduct thorough introspection, but pan-green academics should also pressure the pan-blue alliance to do the same.
While Wang called on the public to refrain from irrationally criticizing the pan-green academics' goodwill gesture, she said the academics' call might backfire and motivate pan-green supporters to protect Chen rather than pressure him to reflect.
While some of the pan-green academics have threatened to launch a more dramatic campaign if Chen refuses to resign, Wang said they should give Chen more time.
"If he still performs badly over the next six months, I may join them," she said.
Hsu Wen-pin (
"When the president and vice president were elected by the National Assembly, they could tender their resignation to the assembly," he said. "Now they are directly elected by the people, but no one has ever talked about how the president and vice president should resign."
The Constitution clearly stipulates the procedure for impeachment and recall of national leaders but does not touch on the issue of resignation.
It would not solve any problem even if Chen decides to step down, Hsu said, adding that it would create more trouble because Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) would take over the nation's helm in accordance with the Constitution.
"I'll be very worried if she says something unexpected or does something crazy, especially on cross-strait issues," he said.
"Such a big change in power is bound to create a significant impact on political stability," he said.
While speculation mounts that Chen is considering quitting the party, Wang said that she did not think that was a good idea.
What Chen should do instead, she said, is to focus on how to realize the promises he made to the people when he was first elected in 2000.
"It is time for him to quit politicking and get down to business," she said.
"Over the past six years, we've seen so much of his short-sighted policies, which were mapped out to resolve one crisis by creating another," she said.
Echoing Wang's opinion, Hsu said it was not necessary for Chen to quit the party as long as he stayed away from party affairs and promised to serve as the "president of the people" rather than the "president of the DPP."
It will be a different ball game, though, if party members call for his withdrawal from the party, Hsu said.
Since pan-green academics called for Chen's voluntary resignation on Saturday, Chen has met with former presidential advisers to solicit their opinions. He also planned to talk to members of the party and the executive and legislative branches last night, but called it off at the last minute at the suggestion of DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun.
Both Wang and Hsu said they were not in favor of Chen's meeting with presidential advisers and party heavyweights.
"I have no doubt that the president obtained a lot of support from presidential advisers, most of whom are die-hard independence supporters," Hsu said.
"It does not help him much, however, by flocking together with his bosom buddies," Hsu added.
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