President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday that he had not been defeated by the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) punishing defeat in the local elections.
Chen made the statement during his annual check-up yesterday. He added that he will share more of his thoughts on the Dec. 3 elections, as well as "innovative strategies" for making Taiwan a better country in his speech on New Year's Day.
After undergoing his health examination at National Taiwan University, the 167.5cm-tall Chen found his weight had dropped to 64.7kg from 66.8kg last year.
He described the results of his health examination in political terms: "My doctor told me that I am very healthy and would never be a lame duck," Chen said.
Since the DPP's setback in the local elections earlier this month, some of the party's supporters have been calling Chen a "lame-duck president" who can do nothing effectively, while others have urged him to come up with fresh strategies to revive the party as soon as possible.
Chen said that he had been "bruised after falling down" earlier this month due to the elections, and "was almost beaten."
He said that some decisions on the nation's future would be taken soon, because he has been engaged in "deep introspection" and had listened to many suggestions in the past few weeks.
"I have not been beaten. I'd like to share all my new thoughts clearly on New Year's Day," Chen said.
Chen said his New Year's Day address will be more important than his inauguration speeches in 2000 and last year.
Meanwhile, Chen Ou-po (陳歐珀), the former director of the DPP's Ilan County chapter who caused a fuss with a letter asking the president to leave the party to take responsibility for the DPP's election losses, last night offered an apology to the president.
Chen Ou-po said he did not mean the president should withdraw from the party. He said he simply wanted Chen Shui-bian not to interfere with party affairs any further.
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