The China Post news staff
In fact this is exactly what the DPP is planning to do, in view of the Chen Shui-bian administration's brazen performance over the past seven years, and plenty of evidence to show its tricks have been effective -- particularly when working with a cooperative judicial branch.
Indeed, a kind of creativity combined with incredible audacity as demonstrated by DPP leaders so far make it tremendously difficult, almost impossible, to foretell precisely what "au-bo" (tricks) the party will undertake for an election victory. Still, we would like to venture some predictions, purely for an exercise in intellect as well as for the benefit of the opposition. Frankly speaking, even some tricks are known beforehand, but it is nonetheless difficult for the opposition to map a counter-strategy.
First among these possible maneuvers is the sudden agreement or request by the physically feeble first lady to appear in court when summoned to answer judges' questions in the "special state affairs fund" case involving herself and President Chen. Citing poor health, she has so far succeeded in refusing to stand before judges a dozen times. In fact, this excuse of ailing health is generally believed to be valid, as it has been confirmed by attending doctors. Thus, if the first lady does appear in court again, it is safe to say that she will -- as in her first appearance -- probably collapse or perhaps be in a much worse condition, under the excessive pressure of cross-examination. If this happens, massive sympathy votes are expected to pour in for DPP candidates from Taiwanese, many of whom are paranoid with an "oppression complex" as a result of having suffered from perceived unfair treatment under the "alien rule" for several hundred years.
Secondly, among all the "mainlander" politicians in Taiwan today, Ma Ying-jeou, the presidential candidate of the Kuomintang (KMT), is undoubtedly the most popular and admired. Ma has won whole-hearted admiration even among large numbers of native Taiwanese, for both his high morality and intelligence. His universally acknowledged integrity strikes a sharp contrast with President Chen, who, along with his family and close aides, is being implicated in a series of corruption scandals.
Thirdly, as has been pointed out by some political observers, President Chen and his ruling party will be the greatest beneficiaries of chaos in Taiwan as it will provide them with the golden opportunity to fish in troubled waters. In light of the mysterious gunshot incident that helped re-elect President Chen by an unprecedentedly narrow margin in 2004, one cannot but admit that almost anything under the sun can happen if the DPP believes it will contribute to their winning an election. But, since the president is an ardent supporter of the Taiwan independence movement and that is the most cherished goal of the "deep green" people, he may be tempted to take further steps in this direction before his second term expires in 2008.
Recently, Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, was quoted as saying he did not have the least doubt that in facing the critical question of national interest, Beijing will not consider the Olympic Games or other factors. Such comments from a highly respected world leader like Lee deserve profound attention.
Now that Taipei's vigorous campaign to enter the United Nations under the name of Taiwan appears to provoke and test Beijing's patience and tolerance, a military conflict is looming large in the Taiwan Strait. When an armed confrontation does take place, it may create just the kind of tension and chaos that would allow Chen to abort the scheduled presidential elections until the crisis is over.