Tonight is the first official Democratic debate that isn't a forum, a meeting, or some other euphemism that basically means "debate." It's happening with a twist, though. The debate is sponsored by both CNN and YouTube, and as a result, the questions will be selected from a pool of videos created by Americans. The same format will be used for a Republican debate in September.
This seems like a decent idea. Citizen questions can't be any worse than moderator questions, which haven't exactly been stellar so far. But there's one odd thing, and that's the New York TImes's insistence that "a scan of the videos submitted to YouTube shows most video-makers taking a straightforward approach, sitting at home and talking directly into the camera." This is true. Take a look at YouTube's full set. However, if you've seen any of CNN's promotional spots for or advertorial coverage of the debate, you would have gotten exactly the opposite idea. The videos shown are peculiar, at least -- people filming their cats or wearing masks or using teddy bears to questions "don't ask, don't tell" or creating short films with original soundtracks or whatever.
In fact, whenever I've seen CNN packages about the upcoming debate, I've felt a little tug of despair, because it seems as though the network is playing up the entertainment value of its amateur videos and playing down the substance of their questions. Does style hurt substance? Can both survive? Is CNN just trying to have its cake and eat it too?
Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
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The First YouTube Debate
Posted Jul 23rd 2007 11:47AM by Ben Greenman
Filed under: Elections, Video
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Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. I feel using You Tube for this is a joke. I do think of you tube as a place for cheesy videos and nothing more.
Also, politics obviously being a popularity contest has also become a huge celebrity/entertainment scene. The media makes it a Springer show and this is such a shame. Unfortunately drama sells to the American people. We eat it right up every single time.
E at 12:53PM on Jul 23rd 2007
2. I agree. It's just another way of drawing in ratings for a debate with all frills and no substance. People don't watch because they think the debates are bogus and staged, or because they're more interested in the trivial nonsense on television. So... make the debate seem more hard hitting with questions from citizens (Which will undoubtedly be lame because they're being screened thoroughly. Only the BS will survive.) and add the element of ridiculousness that makes it a silly show for the common fool to enjoy.
Keep the people ignorant and distracted from what's really going on and you can do whatever you want.
Andrew at 2:34PM on Jul 23rd 2007
3. The debate would be way more interesting if all the candidates had to dress up as their favorite cartoon character. At least that's what my buddy Spradley told me:
http://www.fakebuddy.com
Button at 5:39PM on Jul 23rd 2007
4. I think this could be a very good idea because it gives the public,(the one's who do the voting)the opportunity to ask questions about issues that they are personally concerned about. The only problem is that a lot of people will not take this serious enough by asking dumb questions.
Ms. Dixon at 5:53PM on Jul 23rd 2007
5. I think it's a great idea. With so few young voters actually going out to vote, using You Tube might attract more young voters and hopefully get them out to the polls this time. I think it's about time the candidates started to try to appeal to the younger generation.
Liz at 4:24AM on Jul 25th 2007
6. I've watched all the debates and this by far was the worst of the lot. CNN forgot that "It's not about them!" CNN basically hand selected people from whatever source they could find, but they edited and hand selected the topics for discussion. They tried to us the strong emotion to create "Gotcha Moments" and they shouted down the candidates. This was wrong and they need to apologize to Sen. Gravel and Sen. Edwards. Gravel stood up and made his point about being ignored, but what they did to Edwards was deliberate. They selected a Rev. to ask a question supporting Gay marriage to a candidate struggling with the issue. Like the entire party isn't confused. Edward's should have said, "If there's a will, there's a way to protect traditional marriage." I'm not against gay rights, but I'm for defending marriage. In short, the lack of focus in the selection of the questions hurt the overall image of the Party. We look like the Wizard of OZ Party. We are appealing to the Lesbos, racists and freaks; "Oh my!" If the focus of the entire party is wrong, it sure makes a boring "None of the Above" look better. Shame on CNN, but how do we fix this? Hold a "Town Hall" so that anyone with questions and answers gets on tape. Nobody is asking America for solutions. Affirmative Access is the problem in America. We leave half the country behind and it makes us fight a war with half our might. That's wrong! Finally, Biden won the debate. Edward's won the ad war. The rest of them including Edwards bombed. If you won't choose Hillary or Obama, then I don't want your vote. That's Bullcrap! How can you be for poor people and be against any discussion about reparations? The entire Party was lowered today!
Cecil Jones at 10:49PM on Jul 23rd 2007
7. Too bad Bush said "No Dunking" - putting our candidates (Dem AND Rep)on the Board and asking them questions they haven't been given ahead of time then almost drowned until the cliches' leave them with only their brains to depend on about the issues. Of course this may negate the whole field - but better the Devil ya know,...
John at 11:00PM on Jul 23rd 2007
8. Well we have now reached a new low in the American political dialogue. At a time when we need serious debate, cooperation and progress we get this nonsense. I would have respected CNN if they just put on real videos of real people simply asking relevant questions... but alas we must "dumb down" the event for us simpletons.
Debra at 11:25PM on Jul 23rd 2007
9. this was a nice spin to "debates" that are usually rehearsed and questions are given in advance. and we all know the questions are given out in advance to all those so-called "serious" debates. it was a nice twist to see the candidates think on their feet and shows that atleast they have a sense of humor. enjoyed the show. hey, with the way technology is today...it was a nice twist. those so-called "serious" debates...are just boring. most of those "serious" debates are just a platform to reiterate what the cadidates have said before. nothing "serious" about that. gotta see the GOP's version! you know i will be watching.
iamchavira at 2:16PM on Jul 24th 2007