Hsieh said he wants the debate to show which of the two parties’ proposals for the country’s U.N. bid is more realistic.

“Let the people decide whether we should use the name ‘Taiwan’ or the ‘Republic of China’ to meet the world,” said Hsieh at a press conference.

Hsieh had disappeared from the public scene for 14 days because of what he claimed to be “illness inflicted by worries and anger” over national affairs.

He showed up at the press conference walking with a crutch.

The DPP is proposing a referendum on its call to use the name “Taiwan” to join the U.N. — a move that would mark a complete break with the nation’s previous membership under the official title of “ROC.”

The KMT is urging that the ROC try to re-enter the U.N. as the ROC.

The main opposition candidate showed no interest in such a debate on the U.N. issue, saying that if there was to be a debate between them, it should be on more pressing, economic issues.

He said he was disappointed with what Hsieh had said in the news conference.

According to Hsieh’s logic, Ma said, what the country’s name should be is more important than issues regarding people’s livelihood and welfare.

Ma said that during Hsieh’s “14 days in solitude,” he might not have become aware of the latest indications of Taiwan’s declining economic strength.

The ranking of Kaohsiung Harbor’s container-handling capacity has dropped to sixth in the world from third, a position it held before the DPP took power in 2000, Ma said.

The Standard & Poor’s Rating Service local and regional government rating for the Asia-Pacific in 2007 named Taiwan and Fiji as the only two of 22 regional sovereign entities to receive negative scores.

“It’s the economy, stupid,” Ma said, citing remarks by former U.S. President Bill Clinton from his successful 1992 presidential campaign against George H.W. Bush.

Ma asked Hsieh to focus his attention on the economy and people’s livelihood.

Ma said that after visiting local communities around the island over the past several months, he has come to understand that people’s plight stems from the poor economy.

“The people could care less about whether the country should be called the ‘Republic of Taiwan,’” Ma said.

DPP Legislator Lai Ching-teh said a debate between Hsieh and Ma could help the country arrive at a consensus on the U.N. bid.

Lai said the debate would also help members of the general public understand more about the candidates’ stance on the issue, and help them make the right decision when they cast a ballot in such a referendum.

But he expressed concerns that Ma might not have “the guts” to face Hsieh in a such a debate.

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