Even Taiwan's Pan-Blue Press Admit Ma Ying-jeou is Naive
Tuesday March 11, by Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.
Well I have to admit I dropped my glasses (to use a local expression) on this one. The Tuesday March 11 editorial in the China Post spoke of the presidential debates between Ma Ying-jeou and Frank Hsieh as "Naiveté versus savviness" and it did not end there. The opening paragraph read, "Come March 22, a naïf will have a face-off with a politically savvy defense lawyer in the race for the nation's highest public office. They had their last TV debate on Sunday, the latter apparently was the winner."
Now the China Post is a Pan-blue paper, the bluest of the blue; their editorials often try to eulogize Chiang Kai-shek. So I have to admit my surprise when they admitted that Frank Hsieh of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) apparently won the debate with Ma Ying-jeou of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). Not only did they say that Hsieh apparently was the winner, but they called Ma a "naïf" and used the words "naiveté" and "naïve" in describing him. The main point focused on Ma's proposed common market which would be predicated on China's goodwill, which the Post admitted cannot be taken for granted.
The Post had other things to say in fear of Taiwan passing its UN referendum as an invitation to China to invade etc. but examine the initial statements. Ma Ying-jeou is running for the highest position in the land; this is a position where we want someone who can play hardball with the Boys in Beijing and defend our sovereignty; this is not a position where we want someone who is a naïf; who is naïve enough to posit a platform position which cannot be defended and is so easily routed. When even his most loyal supporters admit to his naiveté, it is bad.
I have often criticized Ma as being a window-dressing candidate and past mayor; one whose term as mayor was replete with photo-opportunities and cosmetic development of the city but lacking anything substantial. It is almost awkward to have confirmation coming from within the Blue ranks.
The local Pan-blue press and even the foreign media have delighted in stressing how Ma graduated with a law degree from the States. Of course they never mention that Ma never passed the bar in the United States or in Taiwan. Frank Hsieh did pass the bar by the way. Perhaps now we know why Ma never passed the bar. The cracks in the façade that insiders always knew were there are showing. Look into your heart and ask, "Would you want Mr. Pollyanna, Feelgood, naïve Ma Ying-jeou representing you in the treacherous world of negotiations and defense of the country?" This is no place for a naif.