Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Democratic hopefuls deal with first YouTube debate


The debate format is the latest in the candidates' battle to keep up with the fast-paced changes the Internet has brought to politics.


"We're making history with this debate," Citadel President Lt. Gen. John Rosa says in his own video posted on the military school's website.


"For the first time you'll be able to submit questions through YouTube directly to the candidates. Technology is changing the way we do business in our lives every day and it's certainly going to change the way we elect public officials."


The questions were first submitted to YouTube, the online video community. More than 2,300 videos had been submitted hours before Sunday night's deadline. CNN, the cable TV news network, screened the questions.


The debate format is the latest in the candidates' battle to keep up with the fast-paced changes the Internet has brought to politics.


YouTube has already made its mark. Former Virginia Republican senator George Allen was fatally wounded last year when he was shown referring to a South Asian man as "macaca."


There have been attack ads aimed at Obama -- and a very attractive young woman proclaiming her crush on him. Hillary and her ex-husband Bill can also be found spoofing the Sopranos' finale.


Edwards tried to deflect snarky remarks about his well-coiffed hair. One message ends with "What really matters? You Choose."


Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a communications professor, said, "Whether it's in the form of a traditional broadcast ad or on YouTube, that potentially can shape perceptions, and perceptions can shape votes."


CNN and YouTube will join forces again on Sept. 17 for a Republican debate.


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