The Anti Neo-Democracy Theorist

More money poured into Benetton

I am beginning to understand why the DPP despite being painted by some segments of the media as being ineffective, corrupted and possessing few ideas still managed to hold its support among segments of the Taiwanese people. One of the reasons could be due to the really interesting ads put up by the DPP. The ads (see my previous post too) for the DPP are quite witty, straightforward and cutting edge. The ads cleverly juxtapose the increased welfare under a DPP’s government with the need for people to take care of themselves, thus reducing the image of DPP as a tax and spend political party.  In contrast, the KMT ads may appear to less effective with their generic and “nationalistic” ads to the younger Taiwanese. Which party do you think has more effective ads?

DPP ads:

KMT ads:

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The election ads for the Democratic People’s Party (DPP 民进党)  and the Nationalist Party (KMT  国民党 ) are really interesting. The DPP ad focuses on the gains in democracy gained by DPP activists over the last few decades, juxtaposing the past with the recent past to show that DPP is the true bearer of democracy in Taiwan. More importantly, it uses a little element of fear to remind young Taiwanese of the importance of democracy as they would not have remembered living under the former regime’s autocracy. By moving between the imagined past and present youth, it invokes simultaneous feelings of anxiety, support and forwardness.

The KMT’s ads are slightly different, with a strong focus on an essentalist “moral-ess” state that Taiwan has become under the DPP. They are also much more focused on economic issues and the specter of “future progress.” Also the KMT is banking more on their main hero - Ma Ying Jiu - to attract voters’ attention.

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This is the year of unexpected ups and downs in politics - First, Hillary Clinton comes back from the dead to seize the agenda in the American election, stalling the Obamanian machinery. Second, John McCain trailing in the polls in the beginning of the year emerged from the pack to beat 6 other candidates who were leading.  Third, Minister Wong’s liberalization of overseas voting was overshadowed by the sudden Mat’s escape from prison. Fourth, now the unexpected gains by the Malaysian opposition in the general election, even defeating some heavyweight ministers.

To be honest, I never predicted such an advance by the opposition, given the the media reports showed that Malaysian voters were “apathetic”, “contented” despite some riots by ethnic Indians and “more free under Badawi as compared to Dr. Mahathir.” (Sounds familiar to a certain country we know and love) One wonders three things:

1) Did Dr. Mahathir’s criticism of Abudullah over the last few years resulted in a weaken UMNO machinery that used to be so reliable?

2) If Anwar had become the PM after Dr. Mahathir, won the BN do so poorly this time? In retrospect, Anwar, when he was talking in Singapore recently, wasn’t boasting about his chances, he geninuely thought that the opposition would do better. In addition, PAS’s dropping of an Islamic state reference in its manifesto must have helped to boost the overall secular and progressive image of the opposition parties.

3) Did the DAP’s longstanding involvement in peaceful street demonstrations help change the views of Malaysian voters?

Malaysia Opposition wins big, defeating the BN in Kedah and Penang for the first time since independence. The opposition retains Kelantan and might win Selangor too. Will these results affect politics across the causeway?

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“Last year, I visited a resident who was injured by fallen concrete slabs due to spalling in the kitchen of his flat. As the flats continue to age, spalling concrete can become an issue of safety. Unless the Minister thinks that the safety of residents living in HDB flats in Hougang is of a lesser concern than those in the PAP wards, it is only right for the Minister to shorten the waiting time required for HIP to be implemented in the opposition ward.”- Opposition MP Low requests for upgrading at Hougang.

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Credit: MSNBC

Latest News: Clinton makes a big comeback with wins in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island. When critics were writing her off, I predicted that her performances at her debate, her commitment to attend the State of the Black Union, her tenacity and composure despite hostile media speculations and her building up of herself as a credible and experienced candidacy will pay off slowly but surely at the end.

I think one of the reasons why she won at Texas and Ohio could be that the turnout for college students were less than dependable. As the work piles up in the March for college kids and staff, not that many of them might want to turn out to vote or to caucus. However, the elderly, especially those who are retired can afford to wait a few hours of caucusing before casting their choices. In both Ohio and Texas, the amount of people above 65 who voted were significantly larger than that of those below 25. Also, the news media tend to cover the elderly less, because well they are not as sexy as beautiful college students passionately supporting Obama in rallies, roadshows, offices and other places. This might have underrepresented the older voters’ potency in an election. In addition, the American news media, by shifting to a more neutral coverage of the election in the last 3 days, might have tilted the views of the voters towards Hillary. Also, the persistent of the Rezak case as well as the intriguing leak of the Canadian memo suggests that Obama’s rhetoric of change might just have been devalued in the eyes of some.

Yet, there is no reason to argue that Obama would do poorly in the next few races. He is a wonderful candidate that truly believes that politics can transcend the pettiness of everyday negotiations. However, I just worry that his constant appeal to young voters (He mentioned in tonight’s speech - “those who are young and young at heart” should believe in change or something like that) might have alienated the core bases of the Democratic party if he goes on to be the nominee of the Democratic Party. In the general election, he should ask himself, “Who are the people that are going to vote?”

The older voters has always historically been the most reliable voters that actually turn out to vote. Look at what happen to Palm Beach county eight years ago. Would college students come out to vote in November 2008 where they are having so much work, partying, exams and commitments? 

Third Update: With 25% of votes counted in Texas, Clinton finally overtook Obama.

Second Update: Clinton wins Rhode Island. She is leading in Ohio. In Texas, the early lead by Obama has vanished. Obama is currently leading Clinton 50-49.

Update: Clinton appears to be doing well among late deciders!

In the midst of insane amount of work, I am also hooked on the CNN political ticker.

It is interesting that so many blogs from Singapore support Obama. For example, this and that.

Latest in from the Nytimes blog: It is too close to call in Ohio, which appears to be really bad news for Clinton.

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