A poll of audience members before and after the debate showed that the former DPP lawmakers did manage to change the minds of some.
The audience, made up mainly of university students, had originally polled nine to seven in support of the agreement. However, another poll half way through the debate showed support for the agreement had dropped to one in favor and 15 against.
After the conclusion of the debate, 10 audience members said they were now against the agreement with five in support and one undecided.
DPP officials told the Taipei Times that Chuang and Kuo took part in the debate did so of their own accord and without party backing.
RSS