Although opinions are divided about Soong, Kuo affirms one thing: He has had to be very determined in order to transform his image from that of a skilled party infighter from a high-ranking family to that of a populist who understands the people. Says Kuo, "If Lee Teng-hui is a Taiwanese opera performer, then James Soong is a Peking opera actor-Soong's moves are refined down to the last detail."
雖然評價兩極，但郭淑敏肯定的說，宋楚瑜可以從政權核心宮廷出身的「大內高手」，成功轉型成親民愛民的形象，可見他的用心。