Other_developments Taiwan_presidential_election,_2004

1 other developments

1.1 official televised debates of candidates
1.2 popular mobilization
1.3 public endorsements
1.4 shooting

other developments
official televised debates of candidates

televised debates between 2 major candidates held on february 14 , february 22. parties unable reach agreement on dates other presidential debates , vice-presidential debates, though both candidates provided televised statements on february 28.

popular mobilization

the main figures pan-green coalition, including chen shui-bian , former president lee teng-hui, initiated 228 hand-in-hand rally in more 2 million people joined hands north of taiwan south form unbroken human chain. act of defiance against p.r.china promotion of taiwanese national identity, occurred on february 28 in remembrance of february 28 incident. demonstration inspired human chain of 2 million organized in baltic states in 1989, soviet union later invaded stop baltic states declaring independence. although billed non-political, of symbolism of demonstration, particularly point in event participants turn away china, veered toward support of taiwan independence, , hence not attended members of pan-blue coalition.

in response, pan-blue coalition planned series of events dubbed heart connecting hearts. these events included several rallies on 228, blood drive, , run in torch passed person person through 369 townships , cities of taiwan in course of 2 weeks. however, these events unsuccessful @ preventing shift in support pan-green after 228 demonstration.

in response declining polls numbers, pan-blue coalition organized program of major rallies near end of election. originally, rallies protest black gold or political corruption, theme of rallies changed change president, save taiwan. critics of pan-blue argued change in theme because pan-blue credibly seen anti-corruption. supporters argued change intended focus election on chen s presumed lack of competence president.

on march 13, pan-blue coalition held 24 rallies across taiwan. 2 million people attending beat gongs , made other noise , shouted change president, save taiwan @ 3:20 pm, in reference election date. theme of rallies seen effort pan-blue shed image not committed taiwan , sell island out prc.

soong led rally in taichung , knelt kiss ground along wife. ten minutes later, lien after giving speech in taipei heavily talked need love taiwan , defend it, unexpectedly lay down prone on ground kissing wife , kmt secretary-general lin fong-cheng.

because of poll blackout, there no published reports track effect of 313 on taiwanese public opinion, although anecdotal reports suggest pan-blue supporters moved lien s actions while pan-green supporters saw them disgusting , hypocritical.

public endorsements

buddhist master wei chueh endorsed lien on march 11 , urged followers boycott referendum. led criticism other buddhist leaders blunt condemnation of chen broke convention religious figures remain politically neutral. in addition, wei chueh s temple object of many protests , had shut down until after election.

lee yuan-tseh, credited chen s upset victory in 2000, issued written statement on march 17 endorsing pan-green candidates: 4 years ago, endorsed chen shui-bian. 4 years has elapsed, , must admit in terms of ability run country, dpp has lot of room improve. in terms of ideals , momentum carry out reforms, dpp still better choice. in response, lien chan, when asked lee s endorsement, remarked in english, what?

the shooting

on march 19, 2004, last day of election campaign, president chen shui-bian , vice-president annette lu both shot while campaigning in tainan. traveling in open convertible jeep in presidential motorcade. 1 bullet struck chen s stomach , later found in clothes. resulted in flesh wound 8 cm long , 2 cm deep (four inches long, inch wide, , inch deep). bullet grazed lu s knee , found in jeep. @ first both believed had been hit firecrackers, commonly used in taiwanese political activities; first sign of more serious when chen noticed bleeding stomach, , there bullet hole in window.

their injuries not life-threatening, , both chen , lu released chi-mei hospital on same day without losing consciousness or having surgery. nevertheless, attack provoked shock , unease on taiwan, political violence of kind unknown in recent times.

chen released video in urged calm , indicated neither health nor security of taiwan under threat. within hours, police announced crime not politically motivated, , mainland china not involved. on internet chat rooms , talk radio, pan-blue supporters theorized incident faked in order chen gain sympathy votes. these speculations were, however, considered highly offensive pan-green supporters, , not condoned pan-blue leadership until after chen won election.

both chen , lien s election campaigns suspended, next day s election not postponed, taiwanese law allows suspension of election upon death of candidate. lien chan , wang jyng-ping tried visit chen on night of incident, unable see president because resting. chen shui-bian appeared publicly next day when voted.