Taiwan`s 2004 Presidential Election: Still hope for James Soong

Abstract

A recent report predicted that incumbent President Chen Shui-bian would dominate Taiwan`s 2004 presidential election. In the 2000 presidential election, James Soong garnered 36.8 percent of the total votes, while this rival Chen Shui-bian won the presidency with 39.3 percent of the votes. The gap between the two was a mere 2.5 percent, or a disparity of 312,725 popular votes, the most closely fought contest in Taiwan`s modern history. Does Soong stand a chance, albeit a minor one, of winning the next election? He faces three roadblocks to his second run at the presidency. Yet, despite these obstacles, Soong remains the candidate posing the greatest threat to incumbent President Chen Shui-bian in the 2004 election. Moreover, no dark horse among the Pan-Blue League can be predicted at the present time.