Taipei, Aug. 11 (CNA) Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on Friday said he would run steadfastly for the presidency until the end, quashing the months-long speculation that he could agree to be the running mate of other presidential candidates ahead of the Jan. 13, 2024 presidential race.
Ko made the statement during an interview he gave on the sidelines of a news conference about a fundraiser for his campaign. He was asked whether he had recently contacted electronics giant Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. founder Terry Gou (郭台銘), a possible presidential candidate, and whether he had made it clear to Gou that he would not be his running mate.
Ko said while he had not talked to the tycoon, he would like to make it clear to all Taiwanese people that as the officially-nominated presidential candidate of the TPP, he will fight in the presidential race until the end as the party’s candidate.
Aug. 8: Terry Gou silent on running as an independent presidential candidate
The former Taipei mayor also dismissed suggestions that his party, a minor opposition party, join forces with the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) or that he run as Gou’s vice-presidential running mate, saying these suggestions verged on cronyism.
Opinion polls show Ko is trailing behind the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), and ahead of the Kuomintang’s candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜), the mayor of New Taipei City. There has been speculation that Gou either wants to team up with Ko or run as an independent candidate.
Ko said there is an idealist side and a realistic side to politics, and he would rather prioritize the former over the latter.
Aug. 5: Presidential candidates steal the spotlight at documentary premiere
Asked whether he was worried about his election prospects, Ko said much could still happen in the run-up to the election, and it was too early to predict the outcome.
According to a July opinion poll report published by Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation, an independent, non-partisan organization, Lai is leading the three-way race at 36 percent, versus Ko at 27 percent and Hou at just 20 percent.
For months, Gou has been mum on whether he will launch his presidential bid but has been very active in public affairs.
On July 29, he sent a basket of flowers to the venue of Ko’s fundraising concert in Taipei with a card that read: “Walk alone, and you will walk fast. Walk with others, and you will walk far.” That has fueled speculation that he was trying to woo Ko.
Aug. 7: Union blasts TPP for ‘sexualizing’ flight attendants with dance routine
July 31: Taiwan opposition party removes controversial ‘Vote White, Vote Right’ slogan
July 29: Ko’s staff call NT$8,800-a-head concert ‘normal commercial activity’
