The KMT's strenuous attempts to deflate Chen's campaign was indicative of their fear of the DPP superstar. KMT secretary-general Wu Po-hsiung repeatedly criticized the Taipei City Government for staging street dancing events but not organizing celebrations or putting up flags for National Day. After several attacks on Kaohsiung City mayor Wu Tun-yi, Wu joined the ranks of those knocking Chen, sparking a north-south war of words.
國民黨中央委員會秘書長吳伯雄屢次批評台北市政府舉辦飆舞，卻不辦國慶活動，國慶日也不懸掛國旗；常被拿來與台北市一較長短的高雄市長吳敦義，也在台北經驗宣傳熱潮中屢被波及的情況下，站出來「打扁」，形成南北之爭；至於台北市自家的府會之爭，更是愈演愈烈。