Despite winning three out of five mayoral seats in the elections last weekend, the KMT actually trailed the DPP by about 400,000 votes in the overall tally, which some analysts consider a worrying sign for the re-election bid of President Ma.

KMT Secretary-General King Pu-tsun led campaign operatives to attend the press conference after the result came out.

Although the party successfully won three of the five elections, it is not exactly a triumph.

Scholars believe that the pan-blue camp has raised its doubts on the Ma-King leadership, which refuses to compromise with factions.

This factor indirectly results in the challenging re-election of Jason Hu as local factions in the Greater Taichung area were unwilling to cast their votes.

This could be a major crisis for Ma's re-election bid in 2012. While Southern Taiwan has long been a DPP base, now there's a leak in Taichung.

Despite the internal problems, the KMT needs to pay more attention to the rival's campaign plan, as the elections were unlike those under former president Chen's leadership.

Even though the higher turnout of the DPP may involve many complicated reasons,

it is undeniable that voters sent a message to the Ma administration as the grassroots don't feel much positive impacts from the government's achievements in economy, diplomacy and even warmer cross-strait climates.

Therefore, for President Ma Ying-jeou, who has already controlled the resources of the Presidential Office, the Cabinet and the party need to step up and find a way to gain back trust and support from the public.