GNP Election Strategies Differ from 2002

“The reason the Grand National Party has failed to win the presidency over the past 10 years is its inability to understand the times and its lack of commitment. In order to win the presidential race, a lot of challenges, including political maneuvering and mudslinging, should be overcome,” said the presidential committee leader of the GNP yesterday. The committee believes there are a few common and different features from the situation leading up to the presidential election in 2002.

The main opposition party believes that the public has made judgments about the current administration; People want a change while the ruling party is engaged in picking out the flaws of the other parties, which will not help the party win the hearts and minds of people. The differences are that an ideological battle waged by the general ruling parties will not be as influential, and that the Internet is no longer a tool for the liberals.

GNP lawmaker Jeong Du-eon explained how changes derived by his party’s presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak should be carried out, and how to head off negative attacks waged by the general ruling parties. Lee’s style puts meeting expectations of electorates as a priority, on the condition that policies be forward-looking and concrete. Only then can his slogan of becoming the “economy president” be infused with hope.

Jeong believes in keeping negative comments at bay, and criticism against Lee will affect the outcome of the election greatly. The election committee said, “It is not the party but Lee that is making favorable conditions for us, which will make it likely for opponents to level criticism against him.”

The election committee of the GNP presented seven in-depth plans for a successful race yesterday. The first is deciding on a major candidate pledge. According to its plan, the GNP will try to show the public that it is serious about development force and changing the current administration. Debating points will then be established by making remarks related to the economy and change, instead of making controversial comments, Jeong said.

The second strategy is to have a moderate but pragmatic image, which will be necessary to the earn votes of those in their 30s and 40s living in metropolitan areas.

Other strategies that have been presented are the launch of the “Lee Myung-bak programs,” “aggressive debating on a variety of issues,” “forging an alliance with the Western Belt,” “waging a nationwide campaign to change the administration,” and “showcasing a new, transformed GNP.”

The “Lee Myung-bak programs” show in detail what is going to be different when Lee becomes president. A new political culture where old practices and formalities will be rooted out, and a new party where skills and capabilities count the most among officials will be the basis for the program.

“Aggressive debating on a variety of issues” strategy has been made to launch various PR activities and to raise questions toward the ruling camp candidate to set this agenda. Furthermore, through “forging an alliance with the Western Belt,” the GNP aims to earnestly embrace its weak areas such as Chungcheong and Honam, instead of regarding them as places requiring special election tactics to earn votes.

ddr@donga.com