King Pu-tsung (金溥聰), executive director of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) campaign office, yesterday launched a column on Ma’s Facebook page where he promised to share his views about politics and current affairs.
King, a top aide to Ma since Ma was Taipei mayor, posted a photograph with his wife and two daughters along with the column, which is titled “Public clamor that turns stones into gold [眾口鑠金].” He wrote that the column would be an attempt to communicate with voters and supporters as the Internet becomes an increasingly important campaign tool.
“I decided to give the column that title because I rarely clarify rumors and criticisms leveled against me, and over time the public slanders have become a reality for many people,” he wrote.
Photo: CNA, courtesy of Ma Ying-jeou’s election campaign office
“Starting a column in cyberspace is a new step for me and I hope I can have more interaction with the public through this platform,” he said.
No schedule has been set for King’s column.
Meanwhile, Ma opened Twitter and Plurk accounts yesterday, six-and-a-half months after he launched his Facebook site.
Campaign office spokesperson Lee Chia-fei (李佳霏) said the office would use social network sites to share Ma’s thoughts and public policies with netizens.
The launch of King’s column and two new social network accounts were the latest effort by Ma’s re-election campaign to attract support from first-time voters who, studies show, are mostly undecided.
The president has relied on younger staff members to boost his support through social networking media.
He is scheduled to meet with a group of students at a three-day camp in Greater Tainan later this month in another bid to attract young people to his campaign.
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