Melinda Jacobs's blog

For months I’ve been studying the idea of a “global Taiwan” and early this morning I arrived in Taipei to cover its upcoming presidential election. Despite my preparations, I was still surprised by what I arrived to. It took me one hour and fifteen minutes to get from my immaculate, on time EVA flight to our downtown hostel. Even in the dark of morning (5:30 am) I saw election signs throughout my ride into the city, which was without complication despite my total lack of language skills. Just hours later, I arrived at KMT campaign headquarters (the incumbent party), where volunteers prepared election mementos and supporters came to pick up a T-shirt, poster, mug, scarf, or magnet of President Ma.