The vote tally has been transferred from the former KMT's 60 percent versus the DPP's 40 percent to a 50-50 split during the process of Taiwan's democratization, passing through authoritarian rule, the development of party politics at the local level, and the KMT's loss of two presidential elections. Lien Chan's departure from office and the considerations of winning support in the future elections will create an opportunity to improve Taiwan's party politics. Ma Ying-jeou's policy to reduce parole terms, and his ability to handle the problems arising from the Nali flood and the SARS epidemic, will be considered by the voters. The media are used to missing the forest for the trees while reporting various problems, but according to various surveys, Taiwan's political and economic achievements are internationally outstanding. These indicators will affect the 2008 presidential election.