Mere days after the birth of the Aso cabinet, the LDP has unveiled its new posters featuring the new prime minister.
One features the slogan, "Aso accomplishes." Another says, in words reminiscent of the LDP's 2007 election slogan, "First, economic growth." Notably, the posters feature not simply the party's name but the ambiguous phrase, "Aso LDP activation." Mr. Aso reactivating the LDP? Whatever it means, Mr. Aso's name comes before the name of his party.
These posters are revealing, telling us just what the LDP has done by making Aso Taro its leader. By giving Mr. Aso an enormous mandate, the LDP has lashed its fate to Mr. Aso. It has gambled that Mr. Aso's popularity will be enough to rescue the party from years of mistakes. Gone is any discussion of what the LDP stands for, or what voters can expect if they vote for the LDP. Contrast that with the DPJ, which even as it has entered a suicide pact of its own with Ozawa Ichiro has still emphasized a policy vision. With Mr. Aso and his hodgepodge cabinet, it's anyone's guess. Spending out of a recession? A consumption tax increase? Spending cuts? Deregulation? More regulation? Another new eldercare system? Preserving the existing system? The LDP and Mr. Aso are flailing about in the hope that voters will mistake movement for decisive action.
It seems that Mr. Aso and the LDP deserve each other.
And it's easy to see why the reformers, who for better or worse actually have a program, might be ready to leave the LDP. The LDP that Mr. Koizumi destroyed at least had an identity and a purpose. A venal purpose, perhaps, but at least it was an ethos. The new, post-Koizumi LDP is the proverbial headless chicken, regardless of the man at the head of the party.
One features the slogan, "Aso accomplishes." Another says, in words reminiscent of the LDP's 2007 election slogan, "First, economic growth." Notably, the posters feature not simply the party's name but the ambiguous phrase, "Aso LDP activation." Mr. Aso reactivating the LDP? Whatever it means, Mr. Aso's name comes before the name of his party.
These posters are revealing, telling us just what the LDP has done by making Aso Taro its leader. By giving Mr. Aso an enormous mandate, the LDP has lashed its fate to Mr. Aso. It has gambled that Mr. Aso's popularity will be enough to rescue the party from years of mistakes. Gone is any discussion of what the LDP stands for, or what voters can expect if they vote for the LDP. Contrast that with the DPJ, which even as it has entered a suicide pact of its own with Ozawa Ichiro has still emphasized a policy vision. With Mr. Aso and his hodgepodge cabinet, it's anyone's guess. Spending out of a recession? A consumption tax increase? Spending cuts? Deregulation? More regulation? Another new eldercare system? Preserving the existing system? The LDP and Mr. Aso are flailing about in the hope that voters will mistake movement for decisive action.
It seems that Mr. Aso and the LDP deserve each other.
And it's easy to see why the reformers, who for better or worse actually have a program, might be ready to leave the LDP. The LDP that Mr. Koizumi destroyed at least had an identity and a purpose. A venal purpose, perhaps, but at least it was an ethos. The new, post-Koizumi LDP is the proverbial headless chicken, regardless of the man at the head of the party.
4 comments:
This is LDP campaigning old style. Instead of having a party platform the LDP just used to have 'koyaku' - vague promises like 'we will continue to improve the economy' that allowed wiggle room for those Dietmembers in specific districts to promote whatever regional policies would capture the vote. This campaigning style will not work any more given election dynamics in what has become a two-party system with single member districts. The party - not individual candidates - has to differentiate itself. I'd kind of thought that by choosing a somewhat popular leader, the LDP had figured this out, but I guess not.
bryce -
Very nice summary of the fundamental disconnect between LDP's reversion to its old ways and the demands of the times.
Agreed. Thanks Bryce.
Cannot agree more Mr. Harris with your comments. This new LDP reminds me of a quote from John Locke:
"We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the color of our moral character from those around us."
This new LDP under Aso's leadership is going to reveal its true colors.
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