DPP candidates call for unity amid mudslinging

DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen concluded her speech at a party-organized forum by saying that the competition for the presidential nomination should not hurt trust between one another.

“Despite the election rows, mutual trust is the greatest power for the DPP's rebirth,” said Tsai, who is competing against former Premier Su Tseng-chang and ex-DPP chief Hsu Hsin-liang to become the party's standard bearer in the 2012 poll.

“I can proudly say that here on this stage, Chairman Hsu Hsin-liang and Premier Su Tseng-chang and I, Tsai Ing-wen, all belong to the DPP,” said Tsai.

Tsai's contenders responded positively to her appeal after the forum, the third of a four-part series to allow them to present their campaign platforms.

“We all adhere to the same principles. We are all part of this party,” said Su.

Hsu said he was “moved” by Tsai's remarks, saying he hopes party unity will not be harmed by the race.

The DPP will conduct public opinion polls to determine its candidate for the 2012 race, but accusations and rumors coming from the candidates' camps have threatened to divide the party.

There have been rumors claiming that the ruling Kuomintang are maneuvering support behind Su — which is seen to be an attempt to estrange him from DPP supporters.

But Su and Hsu have been particularly irked by a slogan from the Tsai camp asking respondents to the upcoming decisive survey to say that they “only back” the DPP chairwoman.

Asked if she would abandon the “only back” slogan after her call for unity, Tsai said she would play by the rules, and they can hold rational discussions on different opinions. Su, who is running neck and neck with Tsai, said he would not ask supporters to “only back” him, as it would heighten confrontation at the expense of party unity.

He said if all three candidates resorted to such a strategy, the party would split into three.

Hsu, having lagged far behind Tsai and Su in various public opinion polls, urged DPP supporters to “back all three” candidates because the real rival is reelection-seeking President Ma Ying-jeou.

During the televised forum, Tsai said it is necessary for Taiwan to construct a social security net that will provide more than just annual stipends for the elderly.

She said the social welfare system is not just about spending money, but also about employment, education and care, all of which should be available to locals in their own communities.

She said 12-year compulsory education must be implemented as soon as possible, a scheme which will need funding of about NT$20 billion.

Su addressed the recent rows over real estate speculation by quoting from a poem by an ancient Chinese poet Tu Fu, that calls for sufficient housing for all poor people.

The former premier said the government must address the different needs of the people, and provide sufficient low-rent housing for those who cannot afford to buy their own homes.

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