Premier Tang Fei (
The KMT also lost a popularity contest to the People First Party (PFP,
learning to play
a new role
It is understandable that the KMT is having a difficult time adjusting to its new role as an opposition party. However, those who are truly wise do not confront failure emotionally. Instead, they calmly think about how to attain victory in the future.
Many causes contributed to the KMT's defeat: First, James Soong (
Additionally, the KMT administration became the target of many complaints from a disgruntled public. Also, Lien was ambiguous about his ideology and attitude toward corruption.
As far as ideology goes, Chen has consistently pursued the path of localization. Conversely, Soong seems to have paid lip service to localization, but has long played the part of spiritual leader to the anti-localization crowd.
At the beginning of campaigning, Lien was also recognized as a localization figure. However, the result of the election revealed that the anti-localization voters largely voted for Soong, while most localization supporters voted for Chen.
Some people accused Lee Teng-hui (
Lien's failure to secure votes from the pro-localization crowd therefore had nothing to do with Lee. The problem was in the KMT old guard, who believed the only way to become a mainstream force in Taiwan's political arena is to "tackle Taiwanese with the Taiwanese" (以台制台). Lien fell prey to the KMT old guard even before the election. The old guard constantly expressed goodwill toward Lien. Once Lien gained favor among the old guard, they quickly demanded Lee step down as party chairman before the election in order to improve Lien's electoral chances. The move triggered resentment among people with a strong "Taiwan consciousness." They began to openly support Chen. The attempt to de-throne Lee obviously angered them and prompted their support of Chen. It was the turning point that triggered the "dump-save" (棄連保陳) effect. The KMT should avoid repeating this situation, if it wishes to become the ruling party again.
personal interest
vs public interest
The percentage of corrupt voters in Taiwan far exceeds those in other developed countries. Not many people in Taiwan care about public policy or the country's future. Personal interests and privileges have been what everyone cares about and pursues.
Banks affiliated with the provincial government over-extended loans, making it possible for Soong to shower money in exchange for support. Such generous favors and perks satisfied the appetite of greedy and corrupt Taiwanese. Many people were lured to the Soong camp for the sake of repaying Soong for his benevolence.
As far as Chen's camp is concerned, his fans were impressed by his image as a reformer who would terminate Taiwan's corruption.
Most voters in Taiwan dwell on one of two extremes -- at one end are those who ally with corruption and at the other are those who oppose it. Soong catered to voters pursuing their personal interests and protecting their privileges -- the group that allied with corruption. Chen, in contrast, vowed to terminate corruption in an effort to attract anti-corruption voters.
Lien -- who was not as generous as Soong -- couldn't compete with Soong in luring corrupt voters. Nor was Lien able to adopt a strong anti-corruption platform. As an incumbent, he was bogged down by the KMT's history of corruption.
The KMT old guard has long-opposed the party's localization path. They think the KMT can never outpace the DPP on the issue of localization. But for newer KMT members, it is still worth a try. But the KMT will not attract votes from the anti-localization crowd as long as Soong is around.
Therefore it is quite obvious what the KMT must do right now. As the opposition party, it must cast away the baggage of corruption. The DPP, as the ruling party, will increasingly shoulder the weight of corruption. The KMT should rationally take the path of reform. Many people see the KMT as the embodiment of corruption. Before the KMT takes on the role of a reformer, it has to rebuild its image as a party dedicated to country.
In the controversy over Tang's sick-leave, the KMT should have tried to make the public feel that they act only out of concern for the country.
Chen Mao-hsiung is a professor at National Sun Yat-sen University.
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