KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun's favourability rating in opinion polls stands at under 20 percent — bad news for the pan-blue camp, and a sign that the party is being outfought by the DPP on the internet and in the propaganda arena.

• In one survey of favourability towards political figures, the top four were all DPP figures, while Cheng Li-wun drew just 19.8%.
• Three pan-blue figures seen as potential presidential contenders scored higher: Chiang Wan-an, Han Kuo-yu and Lu Shiow-yen were all above 40%.
• Kuo Cheng-liang argues the problem lies in publicity and online campaigning, noting that the green camp has long cast Cheng Li-wun as a single-issue figure concerned only with cross-strait affairs.
• Lai Ching-te's approval rating on his handling of government has rebounded to 46.4%, with the disapproval share falling, giving the ruling side firmer footing.
• Registration has opened for the year-end local elections, with the DPP's main candidates in the six special municipalities signing up together on the same day, and Tsai Ing-wen personally accompanying Puma Shen.

Outlook: With just over three months to go before the year-end elections, if the KMT cannot reverse its disadvantage in the online opinion war, the chairwoman's low popularity may weigh on the party's overall performance.