Cablegate: Dpp Candidates Suffer Setback

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

020912Z Nov 05

UNCLAS TAIPEI 004443

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON
DEPT FOR EAP/TC, INR/EAP

FROM AIT KAOHSIUNG BRANCH OFFICE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TW
SUBJECT: DPP Candidates Suffer Setback

1. Recent newspaper polling indicated that southern DPP
candidates have suffered a serious setback in terms of
popularity after the opposition exposed a picture of former
Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-general Chen Che-nan
gambling with former KRTC Vice Chairman Chen Min-hsien in a
Korean casino. The photo suggested not only that Chen Che-
nan has been lying about his relationship with Chen Min-
hsien, but also buttressed the opposition's allegations
about Chen Che-nan's role in the KRTC scandal. Although
Chen Che-nan has been expelled by the DPP, allegations
against him of corruption have exposed DPP candidates to an
increased challenge in the upcoming 3 in 1 elections.

2. According to a China Times poll conducted on October
26, compared to last month, the popularity of DPP
candidates in Chiayi City and Pingtung County dropped
sharply. In Chiayi City, DPP mayoral candidate Chen Li-
chen's popularity dropped from 30 percent to 19 percent
whereas KMT candidate Huang Min-hui's popularity increased
from 29 percent to 38 percent. Regarding the candidates'
chances of winning, 28 percent of the respondents believe
the KMT candidate will win whereas 14 percent believe the
DPP candidate will win.

3. This new election trend breaks the previously tense
neck-to-neck race in the Chiayi mayoral election. KMT
Chiayi City Chapter officials said although the polling
result is encouraging, they will continue campaigning hard
since 34 percent of the voters have not decided for whom to
vote. DPP Chiayi City Chapter officials said that they are
still optimistic about the election, noting that DPP
supporters only really reveal their preferences at the
voting booth.

4. In Pingtung County, DPP candidate Tsao Chi-hung's
popularity dropped from 23 percent to 16 percent while the
popularity of KMT candidate Wang Chin-shi and independent
candidate Soong Li-hua remain unchanged at 19 percent and
11 percent respectively. Regarding the chances of winning,
21 percent of the polled still said they would bet on the
DPP candidate winning whereas 9 percent of the polled would
bet on the KMT and 9 percent would bet on the independent
candidate.

5. It is worth noting that the percentage of Pingtung
voters who said they would not cast ballots has increased
from 6 percent to 13 percent. Election analysts pointed
out that the increase coincidently equates with the
decrease of DPP candidate's popularity, noting the increase
was mostly comprised of strong Pan Green supporters that
feel disappointed with what they see now as a corrupt DPP
administration.

THIELE

PAAL

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