An online campaign launched by the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) that aims to promote the political ambitions of presidential scion Gamal Mubarak has drawn angry responses from independent Egyptian bloggers. The campaign, dubbed "Participate," specifically targets those opposed the anticipated "inheritance" of the presidency from President Hosni Mubarak to son Gamal. The campaign's website allows online visitors to "chat" with the younger Mubarak -- who is also head of the NDP's supremely influential Policies Secretariat -- about issues of concern to the average Egyptian. According to Khaled el-Bolshi, former chief editor of independent daily Al-Badil (which halted operations earlier this year), the NDP campaign aims to promote the idea of presidential inheritance among Egyptian youth. "This is happening because official opposition parties have been completely marginalized," said el-Bolshi. Political activist and blogger Wael Abbas says the NDP campaign is doomed to failure, "even if they pay money in an effort to attract more subscribers." Nevertheless, the "Participate" website has already attracted some 8600 subscribers and was ranked 1720 in the international Alexa index, which ranks websites in terms of overall visitor numbers. In response, however, some opposition-minded Egyptian bloggers have set up a rival website, also called "Participate," urging citizens to "participate in revolution against Egypt's corrupt regime." The site features several videos promoting Egyptian personalities deemed more deserving of the presidency, including prominent scientist Farouq el-Baz, UN nuclear agency head Muhammad el-Baradei and well-known physician Magdi Yacoub. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
