With four Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) heavyweights having led enthusiastic campaign tours since early last month, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is scheduled to hit the campaign trail tomorrow in his hometown, Tainan.
Chen is expected to give added momentum to the pan-green camp's legislative election campaign under the slogan "Ensuring peace and winning happiness."
The creative force behind the campaign rallies is Lee Yung-feng (
According to Lee, Chen's first rally in Tainan will open with a series of shows featuring the culture and everyday life of local salt farmers, followed by live concerts with Taiwanese traditional folk music. Introducing local legislative candidates form the second part of the rallies.
"We hope that people who attend these campaign rallies will have fun, just like going to the theater or a concert. And we hope people will realize that a campaign rally doesn't have to be political, it could be poetical and joyful," Lee said.
Having traversed the nation for a month, the four campaign teams -- led by Premier Yu Shyi-kun, Presidential Office Secretary-General Su Tseng-chang (
The DPP is confident that Chen's contribution to the campaign effort will increase its momentum, DPP Deputy Secretary-General Chung Chia-pin (
Chung said that the president will attend at least 42 campaign rallies in 27 electoral districts from tomorrow until the night before the elections.
In addition to the campaign rallies, a massive parade will be held on Dec. 4, Chung said.
According to Chang, one of the president's closest assistants, Chen's campaign rallies will feature a stage design aimed at conveying the DPP's promise of a "happy and peaceful" life and accentuating the pan-green camp's resolution to create a stable society and safe country.
"The message that President Chen wants to express in his campaign is a natural and real wish of all the people -- that everyone could enjoy a safe and stable life. We can make this wish come true through the power of cooperation," Chang said.
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