A man's greatest joy in life is to have both money and power in hand. Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said it best when he said money and power are the "best aphrodisiacs."
However, disasters almost always follow when one is at the peak of power and riding on the crest of success.
James Soong (
However, the two have shown completely different approaches to crisis management that reflect different attitudes with respect to responsibility and ethics.
After Chiang's extra-marital affair was brought to light, he immediately apologized for his immoral behavior and resigned from his office -- within a day. He might have done something wrong, but he handled the entire incident in a quick and tidy manner.
Chiang did not shy away from making the necessary clarifications regarding his personal and official affairs. He may be flawed in his personal life, but he set a responsible, candid, and conscientious precedence for political figures.
Soong's accounts are now officially the worst political nightmare. He has held two news conferences to explain the source and the management of the mystery money. However, the amount in question has dramatically increased.
First it rose from NT$140 million to NT$240 billion. Legislator Yang Chi-hsiung (楊|N雄) revealed another NT$470 million under Soong's control. Finally, the Ministry of Finance reported that there was more than NT$1 billion in Soong's various accounts. One thing has led to another and more people and money are being dragged into the whole scandal. No one can figure what is going on anymore.
However, Soong has not offered a clear accounting of the money. Soong spokesperson Yen Jung-chang (
Soong's credibility crisis has surpassed the crisis over his personal character. If Soong cannot immediately stop this crisis over his political character from snowballing, questions about his management of government funds during his term as the provincial governor will haunt him like a potential avalanche.
Soong's line of defense may completely crumble because of the money scandal. If Soong fails to keep up his line of defense, he may have no choice but to bow out of the presidential election.
Two former secretaries-general of the KMT have made major blunders due to a lack of self-discipline. How one picks oneself up from a fall is important. One who falls hard but picks himself up quickly leaves a powerful last impression.
Of course there are al-ways those who stay on the ground to shout and roll in the mud after a fall.
It is clear who is the better of the two.
Lin Wen-cheng is a senior journalist.
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