DPP candidate Puma Shen quoted entertainer Tsai Kang-yong (蔡康永) in his
conclusion during the televised Taipei mayoral debate today, saying, "When
you vote for the lifestyle you want, you win."

Shen said Taipei denizens are losing hope, and he believes that if they elect
him, he'll give them reason to hope again.

He said that though Taiwan's international standing has improved in recent
years, Taipei has failed to really stand out compared with cities like Tokyo,
Seoul or New York that are leaders in technology, popular culture and
finance, respectively.

He said Mayor Chiang Wan-an spent much of the debate focused on cold numbers
rather than engendering warm feelings in the populace.

In *his* concluding remarks, Chiang said Shen was inconsistent and
hypocritical.

He said that as Taipei mayor in his first term he was purposeful, decisive
and action-oriented.

Chiang noted that Shen had criticized the removal of cypress trees in the
Dongmen area ... but it was a contractor, not his government, that removed
the trees... and his government immediately and severely punished those
involved.

Chiang criticized Shen's proposals as being inscrutable, filled with flowery
language. As an example, he said even former mayor Ke Wen-zhe didn't know
what Shen meant by "stitching together Civic Boulevard."

He contrasted his substance with what he called Shen's "packaging." Shen has
been packaged by the party ... but he doesn't have the resources or ability
necessary to bridge appearance and reality.