Lee calls for new force to beat Ma in 2012

There were media reports that Lee has started a campaign to unify political resources in Taiwan for a “third force” outside the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Lee also suggested that the DPP should not limit its presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2012 presidential race to member parties, according to the reports quoting people close to Lee.

The reports sparked wild speculations about possible teamup of Wang Jin-pyng, incumbent speaker of the Legislative Yuan, and Shih Ming-teh, who formerly served as DPP chairman and a lawmaker.

Wang is still a member of the KMT. Shih launched a nationwide campaign and protest after the alleged corruption and scams involving former President Chen Shui-bian and his family came to light.

Some people also advocate the ticket feathering former Vice President Annette Lu with Winston Wang, son of Formosa Plastics Group founder Wang Yung-ching, as her running mate.

Lee, who is approaching 90 and still pushing for Taiwan independence, clarified on Facebook yesterday that he has no intention of forming a “third force” in Taiwan politics as reported.

He said he does not hold any fixed opinions concerning who should be the candidates in the next presidential election before the potential candidates make public announcements to join the race.

But Lee said the key criteria for the suitable candidates should the ones who can defeat Ma to win the election, safeguard Taiwan as the main political entity, lead Taiwan on its own path, uphold justice, establish Taiwan people's own views of values, and give them a sense of belonging.

People close to Lee said Taiwan has lost its main identity after the government led by Ma signed the economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China.

After a plan of holding a national referendum on the ECFA was vetoed, Lee decided that removing Ma from office is the only way to regain the democratic mechanism in Taiwan, they said.

Speaker Wang, who was named by the media as a potential presidential candidate representing the “third political force” in Taiwan, said it is impossible for him to take part in the presidential race.

For now, Wang said, he gives top priority to help complete the ratification of the proposed new rules concerning the national health insurance (NHI) program.

A spokesman of the DPP declined to comment on Lee's suggestion of backing non-DPP candidates, saying party leaders are still searching for the best measures to present the most appropriate candidates to voters.

Some lawmakers of the KMT said the party should keep high alert on the possible emergence of the “third political force” on the island.

Some others said Lee is free to make any suggestions and any persons meeting the requirements as stipulated in the Constitution are free to throw their hats into the ring.

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