It Was the Economy, Stupid
At a Ma appearance in Taipei, Luo She-mei, 38, said she'd voted for Chen's DPP in 2000, but this time would vote for Ma. "Our salaries haven't gone up, and there are fewer jobs," said Luo. "I think there should be a change of parties—we should give the KMT an opportunity."
Ma's economic plan promises Taiwanese relief. It features ambitious economic openings to China, including more Chinese tourists and investment allowed into Taiwan, and direct cross-strait flights. He even envisions a possible cross-strait common market.
In the last weeks of the campaign, Hsieh tried to scare voters on that issue, saying that what he termed Ma's "one-China market" could lead to a flood of Chinese laborers and cheap, poor-quality Chinese products into Taiwan. Voters didn't buy that—in part because Ma insisted he would not allow in Chinese laborers or agricultural products.
Meanwhile, Ma enjoys widespread admiration for what supporters say is a clean, upright character. That was a key selling point after corruption scandals that have dogged the ruling DPP in recent years.
Though himself a product of the KMT authoritarian machine that ruled Taiwan for more than 50 years, his supporters insist he now represents a "new KMT." Ma is committed to democracy and it's impossible for the party to return to its corrupt, authoritarian past, they say. "Today's KMT isn't the same," said Lin Jing-chong, 53, after voting for Ma in a Taipei suburb. "And if Ma doesn't do a good job, we'll change again in four years."
Ma has reassured pro-independence or pro-status quo Taiwanese by ruling out unification with China, and by saying Taiwan's fate must be decided only by its 23 million people. He won over some native Taiwanese by spending months with Southerners in the lead-up to the election—staying overnight in their homes, and joining them on their farms and fishing boats.
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Member Comments
Posted By: astephen @ 03/28/2008 2:12:10 AM
Comment: Enter Your Commentanyone regard or identify himself as so-called taiwanese, will be ridiculous logic,or actully extrememly selfish on the title of human being! let alone so-called DPP,ABSOLUTE HOOLIGANISM!
Posted By: erinyifang @ 03/26/2008 7:07:42 AM
Comment: As a Taiwanese living in Taiwan, we don't have to proclaim for independence because we already are. From political view, China hasn't ruled us for decades, so it's not much point to argue on it. From geographical view, the regional economy would bring all the regional countries closer. It's a trend after post-cold war which is happening anywhere in the world. We elected for Ma just because DPP hasn't helped Taiwan improve much for last 8 years. Taiwan's identity is still a major consensus here. More than the half people here consider themselves as Taiwanese people only. Therefore, the result of the presidential election is much easier to see now. Definitely, Taiwan future has to be decided by Taiwanese people, not by the US nor China even though they might be factors to the decision. If Ma can't do it well, we can elect a better person from DPP in 4 years. It's the democracy we cherish here. And it's the way of improving our living.
Posted By: erinyifang @ 03/26/2008 6:59:01 AM
Comment: As a Taiwanese living in Taiwan, we don't have to proclaim for independence because we already are. From political view, China hasn't ruled us for decades, so it's not much point to argue on it. From geographical view, the regional economy would bring all the regional countries closer. It's a trend after post-cold war which is happening anywhere in the world. We elected for Ma just because DPP hasn't helped Taiwan improve much for last 8 years. Taiwan's identity is still a major consensus here. 70% of the people here consider themselves as Taiwanese people only. Therefore, the result of the presidential election is much easier to see now. Definitely, Taiwan future has to be decided by Taiwanese people, not by the US nor China even though they might be factors to the decision. If Ma can't do it well, we can elect a better person from DPP in 4 years. It's the democracy we cherish here. And it's the way of improving our living.