Shen Po-yang's Polls Low, But No Change of Guard Expected, Says Lawmaker

Speculation that Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Po-yang's low poll numbers might lead to a change in the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate were addressed by legislator Wang Shih-chien. Media reports questioned whether the DPP's Taipei City Council caucus might abandon Shen or seek a replacement, especially given Wang's own popularity as a potential contender.

Appearing before the media on July 15, Wang Shih-chien emphatically denied any intention to run for mayor, clarifying three times that he is not a candidate. He acknowledged that incumbent Mayor Chiang Wan-an's higher approval ratings are logical, given that Chiang currently controls all of Taipei's municipal resources. However, Wang added a proverbial twist, stating, "A child's fatness is not fatness," implying that current polling figures do not necessarily reflect a candidate's ultimate potential or the final outcome of the election.

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Chiang Wan-an is the current mayor and has control of all Taipei municipal resources, so his poll numbers being higher is reasonable. But a child's fatness is not fatness.

Shen Po-yang himself responded to the "change of candidate" rumors, describing them as highly imaginative. He suggested that Taiwan's directors, actors, and screenwriters possess strong capabilities and require a supportive environment. Shen implied that those speculating about a candidate change might not yet be ready to compete with such creative talent.

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The talk of changing candidates is very imaginative. Taiwan's directors, actors, and screenwriters have strong capabilities and need a good environment for integration. If you want to apply for a screenwriter position or compete with these screenwriters, this might not be enough.