Hou was easily elected mayor of New Taipei City in the local government elections in 2018 and last year. However, some of those who should have lined up in support of Hou have failed to do so. Gou initially promised to support Hou, but then had second thoughts, whereupon he launched a quasi-candidacy that broke the KMT’s game rules. The KMT and Hou do not have enough sticks and carrots to get these people back in line, so the situation is becoming irretrievable. Hou has not resigned or even taken leave of absence from his post as mayor to pursue his presidential campaign, so is Hou the presidential nominee not negating the standpoints of Hou the mayor?
