Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) and former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), who is rumored to be the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) favored candidate to challenge Hau’s re-election at the end of the year, yesterday both visited Xingtian Temple (行天宮) in Taipei City.
According to a survey conducted by the Chinese-language China Times newspaper, Su is the only potential DPP candidate likely to pose a threat to Hau’s re-election bid.
The China Times survey said that in a two-way race, Su received a support rate of 41 percent among respondents, while Hau garnered 38 percent.
While Su yesterday remained tight-lipped about whether he planned to run for Taipei mayor, Hau, a member of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) who has declared his intention to seek re-election, said he would welcome Su in the race.
Hau downplayed the significance of both him and Su visiting Xingtian Temple on the same day, saying he had often visited the temple before, as it was a popular place to celebrate Lunar New Year’s Day.
Hau handed out red envelopes containing NT$1 at the temple, which was packed with worshippers.
Before visiting the temple yesterday afternoon, Su, a former Taipei County commissioner, also made a trip to Jieyun Temple (接雲寺) and Cihui Temple (慈惠宮) in Banciao City (板橋), Taipei County.
Su wished temple-goers a happy Lunar New Year as he handed out lucky bags that contained a desktop calendar featuring photos of him, his wife and granddaughters.
Having said previously that he would rather dedicate himself to helping the DPP win the Feb. 27 legislative by-elections than talking about himself, Su refused to say if he would run in the year-end elections.
Five special municipality elections will take place at the end of the year: in Taipei City, Sinbei City (新北市, an upgraded Taipei County), Taichung City (a merger of Taichung City and Taichung County), Tainan City (a merger of Tainan City and Tainan County) and Kaohsiung City (a merger of Kaohsiung City and Kaohsiung County.)
The year-end elections are seen as a key indicator of the popularity of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and the KMT, as well as a gauge of whether Ma might win a second term in the 2012 presidential race.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CNA
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