Ke Wen-che has emerged as the decisive card in the final stage of salvaging Jiang Wan-an’s campaign! The strategic "respect Ke" move during the closing debate proved highly effective. By explicitly aligning with Ke Wen-che’s political trajectory, Jiang adopted a psychological warfare approach—three-pronged and decisive—effectively securing the support base of the People First Party.
On October 31, the much-anticipated Taipei mayoral debate concluded. Throughout the contest, Jiang Wan-an not only outperformed his opponent, Shen Boyang, in terms of policy expertise and practical implementation, but also delivered a pivotal momentum shift. In the crucial final six minutes of the closing statement, he executed a masterstroke in campaign strategy: dedicating nearly one full minute to publicly acknowledging and thanking the achievements of former Taipei mayor Ke Wen-che. After the debate, Jiang reiterated that Ke had accumulated deep experience through years of municipal governance, and expressed his intention to seek personal guidance from him in the future—a gesture reflecting a commitment to continue the high-quality municipal development path.
The closing segment of a political debate is widely regarded as the most consequential moment, offering candidates their final opportunity to shape voters’ perceptions. Typically, these six minutes are used to summarize accomplishments, counter opponents, and rally support. Jiang’s decision to allocate one-sixth of this time not to partisan attacks or ideological confrontation, but to openly affirm the legacy of the founding figure and spiritual leader of the People First Party, appears at first glance as a moderate concession. Yet it represents a sophisticated, calculated maneuver—one that precisely targets the core dynamics of the Taipei election race, underpinned by two distinct strategic objectives.
The current electoral landscape in Taipei is clearly defined. The blue and green bases have largely stabilized, with deeply entrenched supporters from both camps expected to vote consistently. The margin for change is minimal. Ultimately, the outcome hinges not on die-hard constituencies, but on swing voters and the large bloc of “grassroots” supporters within the People First Party.
Currently, the sentiment among this grassroots group is delicate. They harbor strong opposition to the DPP and reject Shen Boyang’s adversarial stance and perceived lack of substantive policy capability. However, this does not imply automatic allegiance to Kuomintang candidate Jiang Wan-an. Many of these voters adhere to a principle of “supporting Ke Wen-che, but not the KMT.” The worst-case scenario would see them cast ballots for People First Party councilors while abstaining from voting for mayor—an act of strategic non-participation. Should a significant number of such votes remain uncast, it would effectively siphon support from Jiang Wan-an, inadvertently handing victory to Shen Boyang. This dynamic has been a key factor behind Jiang’s recent narrowing poll gap and increasingly tense campaign situation.
Jiang’s deployment of the “respect Ke” strategy serves a clear, immediate purpose: emotional engagement and reassurance of the white camp electorate. Unlike other politicians who emphasize distancing themselves from rivals or claiming credit for past achievements, Jiang directly highlighted Ke Wen-che’s major accomplishments during his tenure—ranging from the construction of the Taipei Dome, social housing planning, industrial development in Beishi Ke, to strict fiscal discipline. He also acknowledged Ke’s ongoing legal challenges initiated by the DPP, emphasizing his continued dedication to public service—an act of integrity deserving respect.
This positioning strikes directly at the emotional sensitivities of the white camp. For years, supporters of Ke have been concerned about the erasure or marginalization of his policy legacy. By publicly validating Ke’s contributions and challenging the conventional blue-white antagonism, Jiang dismantled pre-existing resistance toward the KMT, laying the foundation for a potential realignment of voter loyalty.
A deeper strategic intent lies in anchoring the continuity of municipal policy and eliminating the rationale for abstention among grassroots voters. Jiang has clearly communicated a central narrative: high-quality urban development is not a sudden achievement, but a sustained, intergenerational effort. His own record—four years of progress and NT$40 billion in debt reduction—has been built upon the solid foundation laid by Ke Wen-che.
In essence, Jiang has redefined the voting calculus for grassroots supporters: backing his re-election is not merely a vote for the KMT, but a continuation of Ke Wen-che’s municipal vision, a preservation of existing infrastructure gains, and a defense of sound fiscal principles. Implicitly, he warns voters that a DPP administration would likely reverse decades of steady progress, risking stagnation and a return to political polarization and street-level unrest.
Compared to hollow slogans advocating blue-white cooperation, this multifaceted approach—combining emotional resonance, policy continuity, and risk-based comparison—carries far greater persuasive power. It demonstrates statesmanship while simultaneously addressing the most critical vulnerability in Jiang’s campaign.
Early public feedback indicates immediate impact. Even People First Party chair Huang Guochang publicly acknowledged Jiang’s respect for institutional continuity and pragmatic tone. In the final sprint of the campaign, Jiang transcended the cycle of blue-green hostility, exchanging political posturing for tangible credibility and earning trust through substance. His strategy successfully secured the center ground and unlocked support from the white camp, fundamentally altering the previously precarious balance and restoring momentum in his favor.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880626168637443/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.