Su not interested in No. 2

Former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) declared yesterday he had no intention of being Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh's (謝長廷) running mate, although he would campaign for him.

"I will spare no effort to campaign [for Hsieh]. But I don't want any position," Su told reporters.

"[Former vice premier] Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭) has been trying to become the vice presidential candidate," he said. "As a woman and a Hakka, I think it would be great if she could attract more votes to help the DPP win the election."

Su's remarks put an end to speculation about his pairing up with Hsieh on the DPP ticket.

"I want the DPP to win and Taiwan to win. It doesn't have to be me as long as this goal is achieved," he said.

Hsieh campaign spokesman Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟) said Hsieh thanked both Su and Yeh for making the party's future their priority, but he would not announce his running mate until next month.

"Su and Yeh are still possible candidates," Chao said.

"All recent moves by Yeh and Su, whether seeking or declining [the position], are intended to benefit the public, and are greatly appreciated by Mr. Hsieh," Chao said.

"No decision on a vice presidential candidate has been made," he said, adding that Hsieh would "talk about issues related to a vice presidential candidate, including the timing of an announcement at the press conference on Sunday."

Chao said Hsieh had not had any contact with Yeh or Su.

Yeh has aggressively sought the second spot on the DPP ticket. She said yesterday that she would respect Hsieh's decision, but declined to say whether a "Hsieh-Yeh" ticket had been decided on.

"I believe he [Hsieh] will integrate the party to win the presidential election after deciding on his running mate," Yeh said in Miaoli City.

Yeh also refused to comment on reports that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) wanted Hsieh to pick Su.

Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday that the president would respect whatever choice Hsieh makes.

"No matter who the vice presidential candidate is in the end, every party member must spare no effort to campaign for the ticket to win," Cho said.

DPP Legislator Lin Yu-sheng (林育生) dismissed speculation that Su's remarks were a strategy to"make a retreat in order to get advance." Lin served as Su's spokesman during the party's presidential primary.

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday he would give his blessing if Hsieh chose Yeh, although he declined to say what impact a "Hsieh-Yeh" ticket might have.

Some KMT lawmakers said they felt better about their party's chances if the DPP ran a "Hsieh-Yeh" ticket.

KMT Legislator Chu Chun-hsiao (朱俊曉) said a "Hsieh-Su" ticket would stand a better chance of winning than a "Hsieh-Yeh ticket."

KMT Legislator Lu Hsueh-chang (呂學樟) said Su would be able to attract more swing voters, a key group in the next election.

Additional reporting by Loa Iok-sin