Thu, Sep 16, 1999 page3

• KMT finally finds its man to run in Yunlin County

  • By Lauren Chen / STAFF REPORTER
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  After all the fuss about finding a nominee, the KMT central standing committee yesterday unanimously agreed to draft its chief of the party's Yunlin County branch, Chang Cheng-hsiung (張正雄), as its candidate for the county commissioner by-election to be held on Oct. 16.

  In assessing the nomination process, however, critics said it was pathetic to see the KMT having difficulty fielding a candidate.

  Although few party colleagues are not optimistic about Chang's chances of winning the by-election, as evidenced by the fact that few congratulated him on his nomination, Chang seems confidant about his chances.

  

  Chang Cheng-hsiung expresses gratitude over his KMT nomination yesterday.

  PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

  "The KMT is like a huge aircraft carrier. It may take longer to refuel than smaller craft, but once it gets going, the momentum is frightening,'' Chang said.

  Following the refusal by Taipei District Court Judge Wang Pei-chih (王培秩) and deputy director-general of National Police Administration Wang Chun (王郡) for the nomination, Chang agreed to run at the last moment.

  "I had no intention of taking part in the by-election, but as I have been nominated by the party, I will do my best to win,'' Chang said.

  KMT legislator Hou Hui-hsien (侯惠仙) lamented the KMT's embarrassment in searching for a candidate. "If Wang Chun had agreed to accept the nomination, then there would probably be more chance of the KMT winning," she said.

  "It grieves me to see that the KMT has to come down to drafting the Yunlin county party branch chairman. I am pessimistic about the outcome,'' Hou added.

  KMT legislator and local faction leader from the county, Liao Hwu-peng (廖福本), described Chang as "the least ideal candi-date.'' Liao pointed out that a KMT candidate should have been able to keep pace with former county council speaker Chang Jung-wei (張榮味), who has announced his intention to run as an indepen-dent. "Due to party infighting and two possible candidates refusing the party's nomination, DPP candidate Lin Chung-lee (林中禮) has been able to escalate his popularity dramatically," Liao added.

  "I am afraid that the by-election could further damage the KMT in next year's presidential election,'' Liao added.

  Julian Kuo (郭正亮), a political analyst at Soochow University, has dismissed Chang's candidacy as "a result of faction-dominated KMT politics."

  "The Yunlin county by-election has become a skirmish in the developing presidential battle. On the surface, the KMT wants to appoint a candidate without Chang Jung-wei's mafia-like image. But under the table, it wants to pull Chang away from Soong's side by nominating a comparatively weak candidate,'' Kuo said.

  "KMT headquarters is trying to earn points for its image and gain political advantage at the same time. If it fails to achieve its goal, it may find itself stuck in a deadlock,'' Kuo said.
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