Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
Wang met with former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) yesterday to discuss a "Ma-Wang ticket," but insisted he would not make a final decision until after another meeting with Ma, Lien and Wu.
"I've been listening to different opinions, and I hope to talk to Mr. Lien again to see whether the four of us could reach a consensus," Wang said at KMT headquarters after meeting with Wu.
Wang confirmed that he would meet Ma today, but denied he would announce his decision afterward.
"Mr. Ma expects me to give an answer by the end of May ... I don't know what we will talk about tomorrow [today], but it will be an honest exchange of opinions," he said.
Swamped by reporters, Wang denied he had declined Ma's offer because he would have to quit as legislative speaker if he runs for vice president.
"I haven't made any decision yet ... What kind of decision would be in the KMT's best interests is hard to define," he said.
Wu said Wang had promised a "Ma-Wang cooperation" and to spare no efforts to help the party win next year's presidential election.
Ma formally offered Wang the vice presidential ticket on May 9. Since then, Wang has said he would rather speak of a "Ma-Wang cooperation," rather than a "Ma-Wang ticket."
Lien, Wang, Ma and Wu held a meeting on Feb. 16 to discuss the pairing, but failed to reach a consensus. Wu yesterday refused to say when the four will meet again.
Non-Partisan Solidarity Union Legislator Lin Pin-kun (林炳坤) said earlier yesterday that it was likely Wang would accept Ma's offer to run for vice president.
"Personally, Wang was inclined to turn down the offer, but he agreed to reconsider if a `Ma-Wang ticket' would be the most beneficial option for the party," Lin said.
Lin, who accompanied Wang on a visit to Malaysia on Sunday and Monday, claimed he had a "thorough talk" with Wang on the matter during the trip.
"I told Wang that the party has high hopes for the formation of a `Ma-Wang' ticket and he would be blamed should the KMT lose because he refused to join the presidential ticket," Lin said.
He added that instead of simply asking for Wang's consent, the KMT should think seriously about the advice Wang gave prior to the party's presidential primary.
Wang skipped the primary, but urged the party to carefully handle three issues -- the ethnicity issue, the party's "stolen assets" and the corruption charges against Ma. These issues could affect the KMT's failure or success in the election, Wang said.
Additional reporting by Shih Hsiu-chuan
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