Jiang Wanan’s debate was criticized for relying on speech notes! Akio Yaita: Don’t waste time if you memorize the draft for Game 2

The first round of television debates in the Taipei mayoral election came to an end, and the performance of the two men sparked heated discussions. In this regard, senior Japanese media person Akio Yaita said that Mr. Cao Xingcheng also criticized that the first debate placed too much emphasis on verbal attack and defense, as if it was just to embarrass the opponent. This observation is worth thinking about. If the second debate is still just about whose speech is more proficient and whose slogan is louder, then there is no need to waste everyone’s time. After all, after the mayor takes office, the problems encountered by the citizens will not be disclosed in advance, nor will they happen according to the speech prepared by the staff.

Akio Yaita said in a Facebook PO post that both sides were obviously fully prepared for the first televised debate between Jiang Wanan and Shen Boyang on October 31. But in my opinion, Jiang Wanan relied too much on prepared speeches, which caused the whole debate to turn into different opinions many times. On the surface, it seemed lively, but voters may not have a better understanding of the two people's political philosophies. Before the debate ended, Shen Boyang took the initiative to invite Jiang Wanan to debate again, and even offered to exchange LINEs to facilitate an appointment. Jiang Wanan did not agree on the spot.

Yaita Akio pointed out that he believed that if a second debate was to be held, the format would have to be changed. Otherwise, just asking the candidates to spend a few more days memorizing the draft, and asking voters to spend two hours listening to it, is of limited significance. The debate is not a political opinion presentation conference. The political opinions are written on the website, and the voters can read them themselves. The real value of the debate is to present the candidates' thinking methods, governance concepts and adaptability to voters through questions, answers and questioning.

Akio Yaita continued that a good mayor requires not only knowledge, ability and wit, but also character, empathy, and enthusiasm for improving social problems. These qualities can not be demonstrated by beautiful sentences written by staff, but more naturally revealed through thinking, judgment and answers when faced with unprepared questions. Recently, Shen Boyang has been interviewed by senior media figures such as Wang Weizhong, Li Siduan, Shen Chunhua, and Zhang Yaqin. I think this kind of in-depth interview can sometimes reveal a person's true ability better than a standard debate.

Akio Yaita said bluntly, and Mr. Cao Xingcheng also criticized that the first debate overemphasized verbal attack and defense, as if it was just to embarrass the opponent. This observation is worth thinking about. If the second debate is still just about whose speech is more proficient and whose slogan is louder, then there is no need to waste everyone’s time. After all, after the mayor takes office, the problems encountered by the citizens will not be disclosed in advance, nor will they happen according to the speech prepared by the staff.