Though Ma was key in developing and promoting the KMT's localization policies, he has not been afraid of internal pressures. He dropped "eventual reunification" from the party's platform and has said that independence is an option that the party could accept in the future; but most have faith that his heart is still set on unification and that his election will improve cross-strait tensions.
雖然馬英九是國民黨「本土路線」的實踐者，並且不懼黨內壓力，捨棄「終統」立場，把「獨立」也列為台灣人民應該擁有的未來選項之一，但各界相信他本人傾向統一，他的當選應有助於改善兩岸目前的劍拔弩張氣氛。