In short: Han is seemingly more disliked than Chen is liked. : D
Guy
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Turnout is really low. Its likely many people didnt see an urgency and didnt vote or were outside Kaohsiung and didn’t make the trek.
The results also suggest that many Kuomintang supporters didnt bother to vote as well. It’s likely that the ‘surety’ of the election just kept people home.
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Chen got fewer votes this time than in 2018 when he lost to Han.
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One assumes then that:
a) turnout at by-elections will be lower than at a regular election; and
b) KMT supporters are (variously) demoralized, angry, or disgusted. It didn’t help that the party decided to field a weak candidate who was not properly vetted (see: Lee’s plagiarism scandal).
Guy
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Chen is a thoroughly boring and uncharismatic candidate. But he’s predictable and “safe”, and after Han most people would prefer a milquetoast empty suit than a crazy loose cannon.
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c) not able to “return” to Kaohsiung to vote due to being abroad and COVID travel restrictions. They can come but at a higher cost and the party is not picking up the tab this time.
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Tsai Ying Wen is “boring” but she does a pretty good job of running the country. I’ll take boring and smart over a reality TV host.
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Yep. This applies to the US as well for me.
I do think Tsai is a bit more dynamic and interesting than Chen though.
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Probably empty talk, but I do like Chen’s priorities of giving us breathable air and better transportation.
He outlined four priorities – upgrade the city’s industries, add new jobs, improve transportation infrastructure and ensure cleaner air.
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Yes, so no need watch the TV. Went shopping found what I wanted, though not where I expected (Carefour-Dashun KHH which was packed with what seems with locals with no cares about the election).
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The inimitable Frozen Garlic weighs in on the recent Kaohsiung by-election, and what might lie ahead:
Guy
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Great as always. He really has a terrific understanding of this island’s politics. Very thoughtful and insightful.
It’s official: Jane Lee’s (李眉蓁) MA degree will be revoked following her thesis plagiarism scandal:
Guy
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Darn, losing the election and losing her degree!
who was her academic advisor. we gotz tah gnow
And her credibility and dignity.
The real loser here is the KMT for failing to do due diligence and continuing to put forward weak candidates.
Guy
Lin Dechang (林德昌), the head of NSYSU’s “China Studies” whatever that means. He was once a member of the KMT’s Central Committee.
the chase begins
According to the Focus Taiwan piece linked above, Jane Lee’s thesis supervisor will be subjected to an INTERNAL investigation.
The thesis plagiarism investigation, by contrast, was conducted in part by EXTERNAL (i.e. non-NSYSU) specialists, with less incentive to cover things up.
Guy
Former candidate for Kaohsiung mayor—and current city councilor—Jane Lee has had her MA degree officially revoked by NSYSU.
According to this report, she seems to think this process has been unfair to her:
The comments posted below that video are something else!
Guy
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