YouTube Users Take Charge of Debate

Written by Nicole Ferraro

Tuesday, July 24. 2007 at 01:32 PM EDT 3 comments

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The CNN/YouTube Democratic debate, hosted by Anderson Cooper, went exactly how everyone expected it to go: serious questions, mixed with song-and-dance routines and talking snowmen.

The introductory video from an Oregonian man, Chris, set the stage for what was to come. In a sarcastic tone, he requested that during this "revolutionary" debate, the candidates do something "revolutionary" and actually answer the questions. And so the clash of the classes began. It was to be expected that, when given the long-awaited chance, the public would take its digs at the candidates. And the public did, but the candidates did not always respond so well. Surprise.

At certain points, the candidates were visibly and nervously side-stepping the questions, such as when a Reverend asked John Edwards if it is right for him to use his religion to deny gay Americans the right to marriage.

At other points, YouTubers used their visibility to their advantage, bringing the candidates face-to-face with the problems crippling Americans, such as the lack of healthcare. Candidates watched uncomfortably and prepared their answers as a collage of video footage depicted emotionally-moving images such as a bald woman struggling to survive breast cancer and a man feeding baby food to his elderly mother with Alzheimer's disease.

Without a doubt, this was one of the more boisterous debates (although, they usually are when Senator Mike Gravel is involved) as it stirred a great deal of laughter and applause both from the candidates and the audience.

The lingering problem with this so-called free format is that the questions are still regulated and chosen by CNN. So, it is user-generated, yet chaperoned. But we're getting there. And even though the questions were selected by CNN, and the politicians undoubtedly expected some of what was coming, it was a new format for everyone, and it's definitely a move in the democratic direction.

My favorite part: When asked what he liked most about the candidate to his left, Dennis Kucinich, Senator Joe Biden replied, "Dennis, the thing I like best about you is your wife." Silly politicians... such kidders...