Houston Community News >> Yu Shyi-ken On Brink of Announcing Presidential Bid

2/21/2007-- Chairman Yu Shyi-ken of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is on the verge of becoming the second DPP heavyweight to announce a presidential bid. Yu made the revelation to reporters yesterday when accompanying President Chen Shui-bian on a visit to a traditional arts center near his home in northeastern Yilan County where he formerly served as county magistrate.

He said that he has already reported to the president regarding his decision although he has been deliberating on the most auspicious occasion to make the formal announcement.

Yu was again surrounded by a crowd shouting slogans urging him to run for president.

He said earlier that his decision to run for president will hinge on the opinion of the people of Yilan.

When asked by reporters about Yu's plan, President Chen said that Chairman Yu has already made up his mind, without making further comments.

The competition among the four DPP heavyweights aspiring to succeed Chen, whose second presidential term ends in May next year, has become one of the hottest news items over the long Chinese New Year holidays.

Former Premier Frank Hsieh already publicly declared his candidacy and became the first presidential hopeful within the DPP.

After distributing red envelopes containing cash in Kaohsiung, where he formerly served as mayor, and Tainan City, Hsieh went to temples in Pingtung County to meet with more well-wishers.

When quizzed by reporters concerning his election campaign plans, Hsieh said all matters will be in compliance with the primary mechanism of the DPP.

Su Tseng-chang, incumbent premier, and Vice President Annette Lu remained tight-lipped about their plans concerning the presidential race.

People close to Su said the resumption of formal work after the holidays should be the critical moment for the premier to declare his candidacy.

In addition to visiting temples, Su has spent the past few days visiting public facilities in his capacity as the chief of the executive branch to show his concern for public matters related to people's daily life.

Declining to respond to reporters' questions about his official announcement for a presidential bid, Su stressed that he has been working extremely hard for the people everyday.

But he laughed heartily when residents at an elder's home in Taipei County urged him to "charge forward" to the goal of winning the presidency.

Vice President Lu continued meeting with grassroots voters, including visiting people at five temples of different religions in southern Kaohsiung County in the morning.

When pressed by reporters, Lu said she still needs more time to consider whether to take part in the election primary to be held by the DPP.

But Lu continued hammering home the same message she has been spreading during the past few days.

Lu said her primary concern for now is that all people, including political figures, on the island can abide by their religious faiths to turn Taiwan into a country of truly honest people who will speak and act from their conscience without cheating or hypocrisy.

She did not elaborate on the reason Taiwan is now desperately in need of honesty and conscience.

(Contributed by China Post)