Optimistic about the KMT's showing in the Dec. 1 elections, KMT Secretary-General Lin Fong-cheng (
Lin said it is "impossible" that the KMT will split, as some have predicted, after the elections. On the contrary, Lin said, many non-KMT politicians have expressed an interest in joining the party.
Lin said there is a chance that the number of legislative seats controlled by the KMT may go beyond 100, dismissing the DPP's pledge to replace the KMT and become the legislature's largest party as a "bluff."
"The campaign is more and more to the KMT's advantage, which makes other parties rather nervous," Lin said.
Lin reasoned that the DPP's advantage as the ruling party has disappeared owing to its poor performance in governing the nation over the past one-and-a-half years. Lin said that most of the DPP's legislative candidates are weak compared with the KMT's.
Furthermore, the TSU supported by former president Lee Teng-hui (
"Lee's recent remarks have obviously leaned toward Taiwan-independence fundamentalism, which has nothing to do with the KMT's supporters and our localization policy," Lin said.
Lin said it is not true to say that Lee, along with his ouster from the KMT, will take away the pro-localization voters from the party as well.
"We are more localized than in the past. The only thing is that we don't support Taiwan independence," Lin said.
Lin said many former anti-Lee members are returning to the KMT after Lee's ouster, while the KMT's support rating has shown a significant growth in opinions polls.
On the KMT's showing in the elections for county commissioners and city mayors, Lin said the party is likely to win in eight to 12 out of the total of 23 localities up for grabs.
According to Lin, the party's candidates are leading steadily in eight localities, while the races in others are close.
Lin said the KMT has not given up on the possibility of cooperating with the PFP in some of the races, as this is crucial for the victory of the opposition alliance.
"Though the PFP's attitude is somewhat ambiguous, the KMT will not let go of any opportunity for integration," Lin said.
In what is widely believed to be an attempt to sustain his support base and political leverage needed to run for the 2004 presidency, PFP Chairman James Soong (
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