Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) turned “head coach” at the party’s national congress in Taoyuan yesterday, handing out baseball bats to the party’s 22 mayoral and commissioner candidates, with a pledge for victory in November’s local elections.
Each candidate’s campaign slogan was displayed on a large screen as they received their bat from Chu in a gymnasium at National Taiwan Sport University.
Guiding the candidates to swing in unison, Chu said the bats symbolized a “strong attack” against opponents running in the Nov. 26 local elections, adding that he hopes a “blue sky will reappear over Taiwan,” in reference to the KMT’s party color.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
November’s nine-in-one local elections will choose mayors, county commissioners, city and county council members, township mayors and council members, as well as local officials from the borough level.
KMT secretary-general Justin Huang (黃健庭) delivered a report outlining party affairs and said the party would “pull out all the stops” to win.
The party’s efforts are to include cooperation between the KMT Central Standing Committee, think tanks, the party’s legislative caucus and its candidates, as well as real-time exchanges with the public, Huang said.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
Chu plans to work with past party chairpersons on election strategy, he added.
“Our central election team will assist local candidates by providing support that conforms with the key issues and unique characteristics of each constituency,” Huang said.
In the event’s closing remarks, Chu said the KMT is determined to put forward candidates who are “middle of the road, rational and pragmatic,” and who would appeal to younger voters.
The candidates would “avoid extremes and conform with public opinion,” he said.
“It’s important for us to show the public that this KMT is different,” he said. “We are friendly with the US and Japan, but also attach great importance to cross-strait relations.”
The party would “always be a party of the Republic of China,” he added.
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