The Pequod is going down, and going down fast.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (
Their "unfair election" misadventure is a desperate ploy to save their careers and their reputations, and they are not afraid to take everyone down with them.
Any pan-blue politician worth his salt will cut himself loose from the wreckage of the Lien-Soong campaign and seek a new vessel to carry his political aspirations.
The younger generation of pan-blue leaders has to make a choice between tying their future to the waning fortunes of the old guard of the pan-blue camp and charting a new course of reconciliation and constructive criticism.
There is no reason the pan-blues cannot, over the next four years, embrace the role of opposition party and thereby strengthen the political debate in Taiwan.
Were the pan-blues to play their cards right, they would also have a groundswell of support to tap into for the December legislative elections.
But why should anyone want a revived pan-blue camp?
Because democracy requires nuanced and spirited debate. No government is infallible, and no political party can know what is best for everyone on every issue (although many claim that they do).
If Taiwan's opposition party sinks into a morass of self-pity and unthinking contrariness, how will the people of Taiwan resolve any of the lasting problems they must face?
There has been a lot of poor sportsmanship all around. The nation is divided about how to proceed socially, economically and diplomatically.
This, at least, must be recognized by both political alliances.
The divisive and acrimonious tactics of the past should be set aside.
The pan-blues have learned that these are the components of a losing strategy, having lost credibility and two presidential elections.
The alliance has capable, popular and honest politicians. Such leaders should recognize the opportunity they now have to take control of their party and chart a new political course.
The problems facing Taiwan -- how to resolve the cross-strait dispute, how to strengthen and nurture the economy, how to clean up the environmental disaster left by decades of neglect, among others -- are impervious to quick fixes and catchy slogans.
If the debate over these issues degenerates into mere barroom brawling in the legislature, who in Taiwan will benefit?
Ahab never got his whale, and Lien and Soong aren't going to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
All of the desperate efforts they have used to fan the flames of anger surrounding their defeat won't make any difference.
They have tried all of the legal solutions available.
They have whimpered, whined, begged and thundered for a new election, a new recount -- anything to give them victory. But it is to no avail.
Lien has gotten his recount, but this is not Florida, and the vote-tallying process is both swift and accurate. Besides, the pan-blues smeared the entire election as "unfair," but they never alleged impropriety in the initial tally of ballots. It is improbable that a recount will alter the final result of the election, and Lien knows it. Hence the theatrics.
So let the old KMT -- the corrupt, authoritarian and ruthless KMT -- die the spectacular death it deserves.
Send Lien and Soong packing.
Mac William Bishop is an editor at the Taipei Times.
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