IMO, as long as KMT is in power, Taiwan will keep a distance from China's adversary -- USA. Without constant support from USA, such as bringing Taiwan into an East Asian NATO, Taiwan's de facto independence erodes and its ability to resist mainland China becomes weaker and weaker. By the time the next election rolls around in 2016, it will be too late even if the electorate wants de jure independence right away. China will be so powerful that it can reunify by force even if USA tries to intervene.
Therefore, Ma's victory is extremely significant because it starts the clock ticking. The present "no independence and no unification" position is only temporary until China becomes strong enough to repel even a determined effort toward independence with full USA support. When that day comes, even the Taiwanese who choose the status quo indefinitely (隐台独
will have no bargaining power to resist pressure to agree to a timetable.
We can thank Chen Shui-bian for being so corrupt, and successfully splitting the DPP into a more manageable adversary instead of the juggernaut it was back in late 90's early 2000's.