A guest post from Jerome Keating.
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The Ma Ying-jeou Shuffle: How Long Can He Keep It Up?

“You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” Abraham Lincoln’s words indicate the growing pressure on the Kuomintang (KMT) and its front-runner Ma Ying-jeou.

Politically speaking, Taiwan’s 2008 Presidential Election is still a long ways off, nevertheless Ma the Chairman of the KMT and current Mayor of Taipei is already running hard.

Ma is finishing up a European tour making his name known in political circles, doing public relations and supposedly drumming up investments for Taipei. Last year he did the same in the United States. To have international name-dropping experience and connections is always good cachet for anyone running for president of a country and Ma knows that well.

Yet while Ma runs hard for the presidential office; he still goes nowhere fast in taking a clear stand on key issues that relate to Taiwan. Instead he shuffles from side to side uttering amorphous declarations trying to be all things to all men.

On the ill-gotten assets of the KMT party he states that they are one of the problems that his party faces. Yet he has been chairman for over six months, and still has done nothing to rectify that situation. Nothing that is, unless selling one of the properties and putting the money in the KMT coffers is considered action. (Ref. my August 28 entry, “Is Selling Still Not Stealing.”)

On the issue of Taiwan’s possible unification with China, Ma had stated some time ago that the time was not right and that China must first “move toward” democracy. Though his position has changed, the residue vagueness remains.

What does the phrase “moves toward democracy” mean? If China jails only thirty dissident journalists in a year instead of forty, is that “moving toward” democracy? If it dismantles 100 of 700 missiles pointed at Taiwan does that qualify for “moving toward” democracy? Do open elections for inconsequential positions or voting on the color of Shanghai garbage trucks fit the bill?

I have watched Ma for over fifteen years and always found him more concerned with image than results. (Ref. my August 21 entry “More Style than Substance”) The Taipei press on the other hand has always treated him with deference and indulgence. Instead of pressing him for position statements it concentrates on photographing him in his jogging shorts or at smiling appearances for public events.

I am reminded of the lawyer/character “Billy Flynn” played by Richard Gere in the movie Chicago. Flynn does a soft-shoe shuffle to the tune of “Razzle Dazzle” and sings “Give ’em an act with lots of flash in it, and the reaction will be passionate. . . Razzle dazzle ‘em and they’ll beg you for more.”

Ma’s trip abroad may have been good for his image at home, and may leave his supporters begging for more but it has also brought unexpected problems. The international press is much more seasoned and experienced than that in Taiwan where the words of the song still apply, “How can they see with sequins in their eyes?”

In Europe the probing questions and consistent focus on what Ma actually says are the rule. First Ma tells students that Taiwan should not negotiate with China as long as they have their missiles pointed at the island. But the following day, this shifts and Ma says negotiations for unification can start even if the missiles are still there.

Next a newspaper ad put out by the KMT and approved by Chairman Ma states that the KMT admits that independence is a valid option for the people. Again, the following day, the soft shoe dance does a series of quick back steps, and it is stated the KMT holds to the noncommittal “retain the status quo.”

For many in the pan-blue camp, to even admit independence as an option that democratically minded people can choose is something to be resisted. So now Ma must shuffle faster. With each answer, new questions arise and more specific clarity is sought.

Naturally any politician wants to appeal to as broad a base as possible, but sooner or later he/she must take a stand and let the voters know it. For the smiling and vague Ma, this is not his trademark. The song continues, “When you’re in trouble go into your dance. . . Long as you keep “em way off balance, how can they spot you’ve got no talent.”

Not everyone is impressed with a soft shoe and for best effect a soft shoe razzle dazzle number depends on low lighting, shadows and a partisan audience.

The 2008 election is still a ways off and you can’t fool/please all of the people all of the time. As more spotlights brighten the stage, Ma “Billy Flynn”-jeou may have to learn a new routine.

http://zen.sandiego.edu:8080/Jerome