Karl Rove politics in Taiwan
As anyone that have followed the 2000, and 2004 Presidential election in the US knows, Karl Rove is a mastermind in political science. He defied common sense by making George W. Bush be more conservative, instead of trying to win the moderate votes. They used social issues, like gay marriage, patriotism on the iraq war, to not try to win moderate voters, but instead to mobilize their core conservative voters.
I believe the DPP, under A-bian a mastermind of politics as well, will take a page out of Karl Rove’s play book. Renaming of CKS memorial hall is perfect example of the Karl Rove political strategy employed by the DPP. Take social issues that divides the country, but would mobilize your core base. There is no better symbol than CKS, he conjures up memories of an ugly past for some Taiwanese. However, most moderate voters in Taiwan can care less about CKS. The memorial hall is considered a park to most taipei residents and less a “temple”. Will A-bian’s strategy work? Karl Rove successfully helped W. Bush win two Presidential elections. But many in the US feel that the conservatives in the US have gone too far in splitting up the country on social ideology.
It is evident that Ma is very much trying to reach out for the moderate voters in Taiwan. But many hardcore blue voters have felt like Ma is not “strong” or as determined in standing up against A-bian. Ma has said repeatedly a leader of a country should be one that tries to unite its people instead of trying to divide. Ma has always tried to do that, and I hope he continues on this path. But I hope he remembers that our country includes all of the mainlanders who have no voting power, he has to try to be their leader as well.
