DPP Failed to Save Chen Po-wei, Exposing its Weakness
United Daily News, October 24, 2021
Even the all-out help of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and a high voter turnout rate of nearly 52 percent could not stop constituent voters from recalling Legislator Chen Po-wei, Taiwan Statebuilding Party (TSP) Legislator in Taichung. With Chen's frivolousness in the Legislature, his recall serves him just right. In comparison, the DPP defended him regardless of right and wrong, resorted to dirty and absurd maneuvers, even abandoned principle. From this respect, this recall election is also the public's dissatisfaction and warning against the "manipulator", the ruling party.
At the beginning of the year, the recall of Taoyuan City Councilor Wang Hao-yu had a voter turnout of only 28 percent, and he was successfully removed. Last year, Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu had a voter turnout of 42 percent, and was also successfully removed. This time around, the voter turnout of 52 percent was extraordinary, showing that it has actually elevated the fierce fighting between the two sides to a proxy war between the ruling and opposition parties. The difference was less than 5,000 votes, meaning the "recall Chen" campaign won by a narrow margin; But if it were not for the high level of public grievances, it would not have had such high voter turnout.
Looking at this recall election in perspective, the extent to which the DPP intervened to support Chen far exceeded its support for its own party member Wang Hao-yu the last time around. The DPP has repeatedly vilified the "recall Chen election" as a "retaliatory recall" in an attempt to reduce the legitimacy of the recall. But the DPP once defined the "removal of Han" as "sanction against disqualified elected officials and representatives." Wasn't it on the same path of "retaliation"?
Chen became the target of recall, not because he was "the most fervent proponent for "defend Taiwan against China" nor was Kuomintang (KMT) "big party bullying a small party"; the key factor was that Chen's performance in the Legislature amount to a consummate model of "out-of-order" and he simply didn't understand the vocation of a legislator. In addition, there was a revelation that he was a hit-and-run driver and involved in video-game gamble, which further strengthened the legitimacy of his removal. DPP supporters tried all means to help restore Chen's damaged image. Regarding the hit and run, they said he "has the courage to admit mistakes"; as for his family's gambling operation, they claimed he came from a "humble family." These excuses are absolutely absurd. Such sophistry showed that the DPP only cared about winning or losing and had no morale or value at its core.
The highly mobilized support for Chen by factions of the DPP had actually unleashed considerable power. For example, the DPP weighed in to elevate the recall election to a battle against China and protect Taiwan, continue to take advantage of the surplus-value of "a sense of national subjugation," and smeared his opponent Yen Kuan-heng (former legislator) and even the entire Taichung second constituency as "underworld gang related". Chen’s practice of "asceticism" in the countdown stage to play the "relationship card" and urged the pro-green consortiums and entertainers to hold a gala for him. These actions had moved the recall to an incongruous climax.
There were more "dirty moves" on the day of voting. For example, the TSP spread rumors about " anomaly in the polling place,” DPP members Chen Shikai, Hsu Shu-hua and others published articles to "oppose removal," and the poll watchers sent by Chen’s headquarters took photos of the voters, etc. This made recall supporters feel exceedingly edgy. These means and ploys showed that the DPP supporters wanted to block the removal, whatever it takes. From this viewpoint, the success of the recall is of great significance.
For a long time, blue and green have each won in the second constituency of Taichung. Such a "swing constituency" is a good observation station for public opinions. In the 2020 general election, voters in this constituency chose Tsai Ing-wen as president and Chen as legislator. Now, public opinion has turned again. It is evident that if elected officials are only interested in theatrics or ideological struggles rather than caring for the public welfare and livelihood, they would be renounced by the people. If the DPP attributed the success of the recall only to the mobilization of the KMT or the Yen family, it would be underestimating the recall's significance.
For the KMT, Eric Chu won a first battle after he became chairman, but the victory was by no means easy. Next important tasks will be the four referendums at the end of the year, as well as the by-election of the legislator in Taichung, and the pending Legislator Freddy Lim's recall. These are skirmishes for the local elections, and the KMT must move carefully every step on the way. This time around, the DPP came out in full force but failed to rescue Chen. It was because it exploited its ruling position to do arrogant, domineering things, and deviated from the will of the people. Cost dearly the trust of the people. No matter how strong its election strategy, it ultimately cannot win the hearts of the people. This is a lesson that the DPP must learn.