Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday criticized the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) for relaxing its "black-gold exclusion" clause.
"It is important to do the right thing," Hsieh said during a visit to the Aboriginal community in Sandimen (三地門), Pingtung County.
"A candidate would only live up to his high poll rating if he does the right thing," he said. "Those who do the wrong thing will eventually be renounced by the public."
Hsieh said KMT presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) choice of former premier Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) as his running mate proved the KMT lacked consistency.
Hsieh said the pan-blue camp had criticized the government's build, operate and transfer policy, claiming it had only benefitted big corporations over the past five years, yet the policy had been initiated when Siew was premier.
"How could they give recognition to someone after they have criticized him for five years? Only a campaign that does not have consistent thinking would do something like this," Hsieh said.
He also stressed the differences between his economic policies and those of his rivals, saying Siew had promoted growth through land deals during his term in office, but to do so today would contribute to environmental problems such as pollution.
"Taiwan does not need to boost its economy by exploitation of the environment now," Hsieh said. "Instead, Taiwan has begun to emphasize environmental protection and sustainability."
"Our [the DPP's] economic policies are different from theirs [the KMT's]. We want to pursue a quality economy while they are seeking economic growth through the over-development of the environment," he said.
When asked who he was considering for a running mate, Hsieh said he would not toss out names.
"Once we name a candidate, he or she will be the one," he said.
Meanwhile, DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (
"It is a campaign ploy," Ker said. "Under the new `single district, two votes' system, it will be almost impossible for the DPP to capture a legislative majority."
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