TAIPEI -- With a presidential election less than nine months away, Taiwan's two major parties have already clearly positioned themselves.
In one corner, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which controls both the executive and legislative branches, presents itself as the defender of Taiwan's young and hard-earned democracy. The DPP is represented by President Tsai Ing-wen, who in her three years in office has brought the party, and Taiwan, closer than they have been to Washington since Jimmy Carter ended official U.S.-Taiwan ties 40 years ago this month.