Tonight Democratic presidential hopefulls will take part in a brand new type of debate. Rather than a moderator asking set questions, candidates will have to answer to people from across the US who have sent in questions to CNN via YouTube. The Republicans will be doing the same in September. This marks quite a change for politics and the presidential race. I personally think it will be a good thing.
One of the events I worked on when I was on the Howard Dean campaign in 2003 was a town hall-type meeting with Governor Dean and about 250 local residents of Nashua, New Hampshire. Dean gave his stump speech and then answered questions from the floor. I believe this evening’s debate will be similar to this type of event but with a much larger audience. I think it will be a good thing.
The only ‘problem’, if you will, is that the people asking the questions will not be in the audience to ask follow-up questions or further debate the issue if the answer is not sufficient. But, more than likely, those that have sent in questions will be watching at home so the effect of being able to have a direct answer to a direct question is still available.
I wrote recently about how YouTube and the internet were changing politics in America and how it might not be a good thing. I still feel that with politicians’ images it is not, but in this instance I believe it is. Bringing politics to the masses and, especially with YouTube being a younger generation thing, the youth of America can only be a good thing for the presidential race. Preventing voter apathy is one of the biggest problems facing electoral staff in any country and by engaging voters in America and allowing them to somewhat interact with candidates it can only lead to more people getting involved in politics. And, in my opinion, right now is the best time to get involved. Iraq/terrorism, immigration, the economy and America’s standing in the world (among a myriad of others) are at stake in this election. The more people are eagerly involved in the process, the better the result in 2008.