tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post7485247395022789718..comments2023-10-06T18:55:46.317+08:00Comments on That's Impossible! Politics from Taiwan: Where we go from here阿牛http://www.blogger.com/profile/08403972286057197709noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post-71669633328662824112008-12-23T19:12:00.000+08:002008-12-23T19:12:00.000+08:00However, for many of the older generations the sam...<I>However, for many of the older generations the same old message is what motivates them.</I><BR/><BR/>And the younger generations? If the DPP gets focused on getting out the "core", older vote it might as well not bother fighting elections.Rajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10034317459759343093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post-46388047605174056642008-12-23T11:52:00.000+08:002008-12-23T11:52:00.000+08:00Raj, I am not complaining about the system. I am j...Raj, I am not complaining about the system. I am just stating the reality of the situation. <BR/><BR/>The DPP has a lot of talented and hard working people. However, I agree that they need to find new ways of selling themselves to the electorate. Some creative thinking is needed. The DPP is currently going through a period of rebuilding and I am sure they will come out with some new ideas when the elections roll around. However, for many of the older generations the same old message is what motivates them. It is used for a good reason - it works!Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13061413827755873948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post-63973949449462250972008-12-23T07:06:00.000+08:002008-12-23T07:06:00.000+08:00All I know is that the DPP have GOT to get better ...<I>All I know is that the DPP have GOT to get better at selling their product.</I><BR/><BR/>Arguably they need a new product as well. "We're not the KMT" and "referenda for cross Strait agreements" hardly capture the imagination of the Taiwanese electorate.Rajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10034317459759343093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post-696765867093079112008-12-23T03:31:00.000+08:002008-12-23T03:31:00.000+08:00...All I know is that the DPP have GOT to get bett....<BR/>.<BR/>.<BR/>All I know is that the DPP have GOT to get better at selling their product.<BR/><BR/>The KMT propaganda machine is a formidable force.<BR/>.<BR/>.<BR/>.skiingkowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05381159852660053893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post-15196523679952160182008-12-23T02:52:00.000+08:002008-12-23T02:52:00.000+08:00In all fairness, its hard to call the KMT-CCP unit...In all fairness, its hard to call the KMT-CCP united front anything other than a conspiracy, even though it was done in the full light of day. Nonetheless, I agree with Raj that the DPP can't keep focusing solely on that or other issues which can be easily dismissed as far removed from the layperson (eg., the whole dual citizenship thing), or alienating significant portions of the electorate simply by dismissing them as "blue tools" ("藍丁丁"). <BR/><BR/>Actually, concerning the latter, the KMT is already dismissing anyone showing signs of discontent as being "green", regardless of whether they actually are. This could prove to be an opportunity for the DPP, if they show that they can come up with policies that address the concerns of these groups.Haitienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11217827891794161953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post-56412731312080355102008-12-23T00:41:00.000+08:002008-12-23T00:41:00.000+08:00David, even if you're right nothing will change by...David, even if you're right nothing will change by simply complaining that the "system" is unfair. There is much that the DPP can do. Until they've reformed themselves, come up with sensible policies (who said they had to be idealistic?), focused on bread-and-butter issues, tried to build from the grassroots up, etc they have only themselves to blame for losing.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes it's when things are most against you that you have to pull your socks up and work even harder. Like Thomas I think many people in the DPP buy the "it's a conspiracy" line so much that they prefer to just shout a lot (e.g. about Chen) which is easy, rather than try to do anything concrete because they think it's a waste of time and it's hard work.Rajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10034317459759343093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post-85090386046808122932008-12-23T00:12:00.000+08:002008-12-23T00:12:00.000+08:00...Sadly, you're absolutely right David.....<BR/>.<BR/>.<BR/>Sadly, you're absolutely right David.<BR/>.<BR/>.<BR/>.skiingkowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05381159852660053893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post-33990198797611325362008-12-22T23:39:00.000+08:002008-12-22T23:39:00.000+08:00It is not so easy for the DPP even if they have go...It is not so easy for the DPP even if they have good management and leadership. The DPP will always be competitive in national level elections and will lead the way in campaigning and driving the agenda. However, at the local level the KMT has structural advantages which gives them a firm grip on local politics in Taiwan. This grip cannot be overcome with idealistic policies or better candidates. The DPP either has to play the KMT's dirty game or it has to bring about major changes in Taiwanese society. The first is not desirable, the second is very difficult to achieve.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13061413827755873948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post-70442703895850272192008-12-22T22:05:00.000+08:002008-12-22T22:05:00.000+08:00Totally agree with you. But having seen the DPP bl...Totally agree with you. But having seen the DPP blow the last few elections, most of which should not have been such a big deal for them, I am growing more pessimistic. We are already over six months into Ma's presidency, and the DPP to me only seems distracted. And Ma's administration and the KMT have goofed up how many times by now?<BR/><BR/>I suppose six months is too soon to judge the DPP's response though.Tommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13552370490869601403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444895069543408811.post-679483527510293422008-12-22T17:36:00.000+08:002008-12-22T17:36:00.000+08:00I know it's probably easier said than done, but I ...I know it's probably easier said than done, but I think the DPP needs to rely less on parachute candidates who are dispatched to contest various local elections, and actually work on cultivating grassroots support and local talent. I think there are some signs of this, for example Lin Chia-lung (who looks to be the DPP nominee for Taichung City mayor) actually putting down roots in Taichung a couple of years back, and moving his entire family there.<BR/><BR/>Having seen the past US election taking place in Colorado, I can say that the Democrats' huge gains in flipping what was a solidly GOP state relied heavily on both grassroots activism, as well as being able to point to the good work of local elected officials who happened to be Democrats. When it comes down to it, people will think hard about whom to vote for when they see people they know supporting a particular platform, and candidates who are locally born and bred, as opposed to carpetbaggers imported specifically for a particular race. Of course, this required a lot of time and money to drive the massive mobilization. The whole effort is already being called the <A HREF="http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/316nfdzw.asp" REL="nofollow">"Colorado model"</A>.Haitienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11217827891794161953noreply@blogger.com