Presidential Deputy Secretary-General Cho Jung-tai said Chen and Hsieh will form the dual-nucleus of Hsieh’s campaign headquarters.

He said Hsieh, who beat three other contenders — outgoing Premier Su Tseng-chang, Vice President Annette Lu and DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun — in the May 6 member vote of the primary, has pushed for party solidarity over the past week in view of a possible rift within the party because of the bitterly fought primary.

Cho, a protege of Hsieh, said Hsieh did not exchange views with Chen during a Monday meeting on the lineup of a new Cabinet to be headed by Chang Chun hsiung, who the president earlier named as premier after the resignation of Su Tseng-chang.

Hsieh visited Lu and Yu, as well as Chang Monday, hoping to forge a “new concept” for his election in March 2008, Cho said.

He noted that the DPP’s campaign strategy in the 2004 election was successful, adding that Chen served concurrently as party chairman at that time and the party’s and Chen’s campaign offices merged.

He said Hsieh’s campaign headquarters will also be merged with the party’s.

Hsieh, who has been traveling around Taiwan to listen to the grassroots since the primary, might also travel overseas, Cho said. “Many countries want to learn more about Hsieh’s political ideals as well as his blueprint for running the country after his victory in the primary,” he said.

Hsieh hopes to let the international community gain a better understanding of Taiwan as well as broaden his horizons, Cho added.

He did not directly answer reports that Hsieh has asked former Premier Yeh Chu-lan to form a ticket with him, saying only that there is “no hurry” to announce a running mate.

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