This article applies the "vote-maximizing model" to analyzethe impact of the ROC's 2000 presidential elections on cross-straitrelations. Because public opinion features standard distribution onboth unification-independence issue and security vs. economicinterest issue, the mainland policy of the various political partiesof Taiwan tend to converge toward the center. This tendency isembodied in Chen Shui-bian's "new middle road" and his willingnessto discuss with mainland China on the issue of "one China" afterhe was elected president. Similar political pressure is put onAmerican political parties concerning the US's China policy. Duringelections the US administration usually meet strong criticism fromthe Congress, the rank and file citizen. Since maximizing votesis the primary consideration of the incumbent party, there is alwaysa tilt toward idealism and Taiwan. However, during the inter-electoral periods the US administration tilted back toward realismand take a pro-Beijing stance. In mainland China, economic performance and nationalism are the two remaining pillars of theCommunist Party's legitimacy. The emphasis on the former resultsin pursuit of peace in the Taiwan Strait, while the stress on thelatter tends to harden Beijing's stance toward Taiwan. The partycongress held at five years' intervals pose challenge to theincumbents and induces them to take harsh policies toward Taiwan.The presidential elections and their aftermath pose no real threatto Taiwan, as the combination of domestic factors in the threecountries during this period of time is conducive to peace andsecurity in the Taiwan Straits. However, 2001 and 2002 bodes illto Taiwan, as the combination of domestic factors then will moveto Taiwan's disadvantage.