The biggest question in the recent melodrama surrounding KMT lawmaker John Chang (章孝嚴) is why? After all, just about the entire world knows that the late former president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) and his mistress, Chang Ya-juo (章亞若), were Chang's biological parents. Under the circumstances, what's the point of insisting on listing them as his parents on his identification card?
There are those say Chang is after more votes, paving the way for re-election. But Chang has already drained all there is to tap from the "Chiang name" among the voters. Chang's campaign slogan was "one ballot -- ties across three generations (一張票, 三世情)," which made emotional appeals to voters using Chang's blood ties to Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) and Chiang Ching-kuo. Other "filial conduct" that just so happens to remind the voters of his heritage includes a proposal to establish a university named after Chiang Ching-kuo and publicly scolding those who suggest renaming the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂).
The tactic has worked wonderfully so far in sucking in votes. Chang was the No. 3 vote-getter in his district in the past legislative election.
In fact, he sucked up so many pro-unification votes that other self-crowned successors of Chiang Ching-kuo, including the New Party's Elmer Feng (馮滬祥), gathered fewer votes and lost the election. Chang's victory at the expense of politicians such as Feng proves one thing -- the Chiang family has appeal only to a certain number of voters and that number is rapidly declining. It's therefore pretty safe to conclude that just about everyone who will vote for Chang because of his father has already done so.
One plausible reason for Chang's move is to seek additional weight and prominence within the KMT. Having suffered multiple electoral defeats, the KMT is no longer the wealthy and powerful party that it once was. In fact, it's become a real toss up between the KMT and the PFP, in so far as the question as to who has control over the "pan-blue" camp. The KMT has neither the resources nor the manpower to get around to all its members. Unless a person has something to make him stand out in the eyes of the KMT leadership, he is pretty much on his own. Under the circumstances, Chang naturally has to emphasize his unique blood-line to avoid being dumped into the dog house by his party. To the KMT, the existence of Chang prevents PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), another self-crowned prodigy of Chiang Ching-kuo ideals, from monopolizing Chiang's political legacy.
Finally, as Chang has been actively seeking a prominent role in cross-strait affairs, his move may be intended to convince Beijing and Taipei of his weight and special significance for the role. Unfortunately for Chang, Beijing is apparently coming to the realization that it is useless to deal with those from Taiwan who do not represent the mainstream popular will, since Taiwan is a democracy. This is reflected by the fact that while China has not changed its substantive stance on Taiwan, it is nevertheless taking an increasingly softer tone of voice in speaking about the ruling DPP. Under the circumstances, it's no wonder that, among the three Taiwan delegations visiting China recently, the group led by Chang was the only one not received by Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen (錢其琛).
It is time for Chang to realize that popular support is what counts in Taiwan in this day and age. If he continues to cling onto his blood-line as his sole life buoy, his political career is not far from being over.
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