Whether Taiwan is ready for a female president or not, Vice President Annette Lu's (呂秀蓮) recent performance as acting Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairwoman left voters to consider the possibility, as Lu has never hidden her ambition to run in the 2008 presidential election.

Acting as head of the DPP drew renewed attention to Lu's unique political style of standing up and speaking out for what she believes in. After former DPP chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) resigned to take responsibility for the party's poor performance in the Dec. 3 elections, Lu took over as acting chairwoman and claimed to be implementing reforms within the party. However, she was faced with an overwhelming reaction from factions within the DPP, as well as rumors that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was displeased with Lu's sweeping gestures.

But appealing to reform and integrity, Lu weathered the storm and secured the acting chairwomanship while consolidating her power base by demonstrating her extraordinary willpower to party members -- both her supporters and opponents.

Lu's political experience spanned the development of Taiwan's democracy. In the 1970s, Lu served as the vice president of Formosa Magazine, which represented a broad alliance of the so-called dangwai (黨外, "outside the party") activists.

She was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the then Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government on a charge of "abetting a violent rebellion" for a 20-minute speech on the evening of the Kaohsiung Incident (美麗島事件).

The incident, which occurred on Dec. 10, 1979, was a state crackdown on an anti-government parade organized by Formosa Magazine.

After spending almost six years in jail, Lu dedicated herself to advocating Taiwan's bid to join the UN and participated in various international conferences to promote Taiwanese independence.

After serving as a legislator for three years, Lu was elected Taoyuan County commissioner in 1997.

She won re-election in 1998.

In 2000, Lu became the first female vice president of Taiwan.

Within the DPP, Lu, who was educated at Harvard Law School, has been considered a maverick and some party members have privately criticized her for always acting on her own without regard for others' suggestions. She has also been described as difficult to work with.

Lu's outspokenness is a trait that sets her apart from from other local political figures.

Many people appreciate her bluntness, yet some think her headstrong manner stems from a self-centered personality.

"Lu is so straightforward that many DPP heavyweights have her in their sights as a potential adversary in the next presidential election," said Shih Cheng-feng (施正鋒), a professor at Tamkang University's Department of Public Administration.

But Lu's strong character and inflexible attitude might be the leadership that Taiwan needs now, Shih said.