Capitalizing on a much-improved relationship with President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) is working hard to become one of the DPP's three vice chairmen in order to boost her chances of being picked as Chen's running mate in 2004, DPP insiders said yesterday.
"The word is that Chen is considering Lu for one of the DPP's three vice chairman posts. Lu appears to be aware of this and is, for this reason, busy showing her professionalism, both in domestic and foreign affairs, to garner more public support," said political commentator Hu Chung-hsin (胡忠信).
Agreeing with Hu, other analysts believe President Chen is paving the way for another Lu vice presidency by providing her with ample opportunity to prove herself in foreign affairs by letting her travel abroad on his behalf.
Although unwilling to confirm the comments, a close presidential aide acknowledged that relations between Chen and Lu are the best they've ever been and that Chen "appears to be very supportive" of activities Lu initiates or is involved in -- a far different situation than that which existed when they first became partners in 2000.
Lu's aides have also played a part in promoting their boss, as many of them have repeatedly insinuated that she would be "the best choice for DPP vice chairman."
Even Lu herself has, on several occasions, publicized her strong ties with Chen.
"I am the alter ego of the president. The fact that I am here [in Bali] is tantamount to the president's being here," Lu said on Thursday at the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
Almost one month after Chen took the reins of the party, he appears to be having a difficult time filling the three DPPs vice chairman seats.
Despite reports before Chen took over that Premier Yu Shyi-kun, Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) and senior DPP lawmaker Hong Chi-chang (洪奇昌) would be the most likely candidates for the posts, the positions continue vacant.
The protracted vacancies have led to speculation that Chen is struggling to quell internal discord between party factions. But the indecision, whatever the cause, could turn into a boon for Lu, as it has given her an opportunity to compete for one of the posts.
For the past month Lu has given an unusually high number of interviews with the media and she has visited Penghu to promote its sluggish tourism industry after it was badly affected by an air crash in May.
To show her compassion and care for the younger generation, the vice president has visited cybercafes, pubs and last week, the Taipei Drug Abstention and Treatment Center, to act as the pitchwoman for the government's anti-drug campaign.
She has also demonstrated one of her major strengths, her expertise in foreign affairs.
Lu received wide applause yesterday after coming home from a four-day trip to Indonesia -- an example of what has been described as "vacation diplomacy."
Billing trip "a path of liberation, dignity and brightness," she said at a press conference upon her return that the trip was to "carry out President Chen's policies."
Initially barred from entering Jakarta, Lu managed to slip into the capital city after a stop in Bali, meeting with former and incumbent Indonesian congressmen and officials.
In retrospect, Chen and Lu have come a long way in establishing more affable interactions.
Lu was a headache for Chen in the early days of his administration, partly due to her headstrong personality and partly due to her frustration with the powerless of Taiwan's vice presidency.
She was often accused of bypassing protocol when issuing press releases and summoning the foreign minister to discuss international cooperation projects and her depiction of her relationship with Chen as "good cop, bad cop," raised eyebrows and angered the president.
Those days now appear long gone.
"That would be very wise for the party [if Lu were chosen as a DPP vice chairman]. The DPP has to make good its promise of recruiting more women into the party," said DPP lawmaker Parris Chang (
"Lu would be of great help to the DPP, given her aptitude in diplomatic affairs. She will also help the party project an image of caring for people, because of her sympathy and empathy for under-privileged groups."
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