Calls for solidarity within the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) followed reports that party presidential hopeful Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) and KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) clashed over whether Hung would visit the US.
The KMT on Saturday announced that Hung is to visit the US “either in August or September.” However, later the same day, Hung issued a statement saying that she would have the final say on whether she visits Washington and on her stance on cross-strait issues.
The incident caused political commentators to suggest a conflict in campaign strategy between the KMT and Hung.
Presidential elections are a team effort, KMT deputy caucus whip Liao Kuo-tung (廖國棟) said, adding that, in addition to Hung striving to improve communication within the party, Chu should make the effort to better interact with the party’s only candidate.
Important matters or sensitive issues should be thoroughly discussed between Hung and Chu and they should always achieve a consensus before announcements are made to save face for Chu in his capacity as chairman and to prevent the impression that party members are pulling in opposing directions, Liao said.
The KMT has always relied on its organization during elections, Liao said, adding that he would soon be visiting Hung to offer some advice.
Liao said all KMT legislators would endeavor to do the same, adding that Hung would also need to adapt her own ideals to fall in line with the party’s policies to maximize efficiency.
Hung must be careful with her words, sources said, adding that she must take the bigger picture into consideration.
Separately yesterday, Hung’s office released a news statement announcing that it has invited Shih Hsin University graduate institute of communications professor Jack Yu (游梓翔) and National Taiwan University department of political science professor Philip Yang (楊永明) to join Hung’s team as strategy group convener doubling as spokesperson, and international group convener and international spokesperson respectively.
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