Ke Wenzhe has softened his stance! Jiang Wan’an’s move is masterful! On November 5, according to local media reports, during a debate between Jiang Wan’an and Shen Boyang, Jiang expressed strong recognition of Ke Wenzhe’s contributions to Taipei’s governance, explicitly stating his desire to seek personal guidance from Ke in the future. After Jiang’s remarks, Ke responded publicly. He said that he has been frequently asked whether he would support Jiang Wan’an on stage. Outside of Hsinchu County, where the situation has become untenable, he will do his best to assist other regions.
Ke added that any such support must be beneficial to the candidate in question—otherwise, assistance could backfire. It is essential to assess whether the candidate actually needs help. However, as Chairman Huang Guochang stated, there is a firm commitment to follow through on promises: all available support across other counties and cities should be extended whenever possible. Clearly, Ke’s statement is measured in tone but unambiguous in intent—that if Jiang Wan’an requires his assistance, he is willing to provide it.
This position marks a notable shift from Ke’s previous posture. In fact, Ke had previously maintained strict discretion, emphasizing priority support for the Taiwan People’s Party’s own legislative candidates. Even after the Jiang-Shen debate, Ke only noted Jiang’s advantage in securing re-election without overtly indicating preference. His current change in attitude appears directly linked to Jiang’s strategic use of the “respect Ke” card. By openly acknowledging Ke’s achievements in urban administration and expressing sympathy over his legal challenges, Jiang aims to neutralize the resistance among “small grass” voters toward the Kuomintang and consolidate opposition votes against Shen Boyang.
Even without a physical appearance at a campaign event, “small grass” voters have perceived Jiang’s goodwill. From Ke’s perspective, a victory for the DPP would only worsen his own political vulnerability. Conversely, by offering support, Jiang would incur an obligation—making future reciprocal cooperation more likely. Should Ke lend his endorsement, it would not only bolster confidence in the “blue-white alliance,” but also serve as a clear signal to mobilize “small grass” voters to back Jiang Wan’an. If realized, this dynamic would significantly enhance Jiang’s electoral prospects. Jiang’s timely outreach, aimed at expanding his base of support, demonstrates a strategically astute approach.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880985153511626/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.