Vital youth versus geriatric blues - TW

By Chen Fang-ming ???

Tuesday, May 25, 2004,Page 8

After two consecutive presidential election defeats, the pan-blue camp should face up to reality: The contender they confront is a new party on the rise, a growing force that does not come to a halt at the election victory.

Beaming with vigor, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took only 14 years to go from its hazardous founding in 1986 to its ruling position in 2000. Among various reasons for the DPP's success, the lack of a heavy historical burden is the most salient.

Unfettered by outdated modes of thinking when proposing political reforms, the DPP is able to hew out a path and proceed to expand its territory without hesitation. With its grassroots origin and adroit leverage of public opinion, the DPP climbed to the highest rank of power in the shortest time.

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