While 65 percent of Taiwanese want the ruling party to change, 70 percent do not want the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) to take over, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday.
Ko made the remarks after a reporter asked whether he is worried about being on the wrong end of the so-called “dump-save effect” that is predicted to affect the Jan. 13 presidential election.
With the election a three-way race between candidates from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the KMT and the TPP, there is speculation that many voters would “dump” the candidate they see as having a low chance of winning to “save” their second-choice candidate. Recent polls have consistently shown Ko with the lowest support rate, meaning he would be most affected if the phenomenon plays out.
Photo: CNA
THIRD FORCE
However, Ko said that last year’s Taipei mayoral election showed the “third force” in Taiwan’s political landscape is here to stay and is expanding from Taipei to other parts of the nation.
There would be a “dump-save effect” in the presidential election, but it would not be thorough, he said, adding that the third force would persist.
Politics is about negotiations and he would continue to strive for success, he said.
“About 65 percent of Taiwanese want a new party in power, but people forget that about 70 percent do not want the KMT to be the ruling party,” Ko said on the sidelines of a campaign event stumping for a TPP legislative candidate in Kaohsiung. “If you do not believe it, conduct an opinion poll... You will notice that a third political force has emerged.”
Later yesterday afternoon, Ko and his running mate, TPP Legislator Cynthia Wu (吳欣盈), traveled to Tainan for their first major campaign rally.
They were greeted by supporters waving the national flag or the blue TPP flag.
The candidates shook hands with people as they approached the stage, taking about 20 minutes to reach the front.
Ko said that the DPP had changed its core values from being “free of corruption, a diligent government and loving the homeland” to “corruption, laziness and the New Tide Faction.”
Vice President William Lai (賴清德), the DPP’s presidential candidate, has gone from being the “golden grandson of Taiwanese independence” — a description given to him by members of opposition parties — to dodging questions about his stance on independence, he said.
Ko said he is confident he could win the election.
The TPP must win so it could give Taiwan back to the people, he added.
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