Tech News

CNN and YouTube partner for presidential debate

By Stevie Smith Jun 15, 2007, 13:08 GMT

Anyone doubting the ever-increasing prevalence and considerable social influence of the Web 2.0 phenomenon need only look toward the unfolding presidential race in the United States to see how social networking is confidently ramming its roots deep into the willing and opportunistic soil of society. More pointedly, Google-owned and hugely popular YouTube, the often-contentious video-sharing Web site, is about to occupy top billing with current Democratic presidential candidates Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (New York) and Barrack Obama (Illinois) as the service’s user base submit video questions for the two Democratic front runners to field on air. The nationally televised debate, which is being co-sponsored by major cable television news network CNN, is being billed as an opportunity for the public to reach out and have their questions and concerns addresses by both competing candidates while also providing a platform for YouTube’s users to showcase their visual and technological prowess. Thinly veiled spin aside, considering the overwhelming demographic appeal offered by YouTube, it’s more than likely that both Clinton and Obama see the event as a great way to gain deep access into the ranks of the country’s younger voters. Notably, CNN has advised public contributors to the debate to be original and personal but also "quick" in their questioning.According to a report published by the UK Telegraph, Howard Dean, one-time presidential candidate and now leader of the Democratic Party, has called the YouTube debate a "historic partnership." Dean himself is considered somewhat of a pioneer on the subject after utilising the Internet to help reach voters during his own (failed) electoral campaign in 2004. While claiming that the Democratic Party is wholly committed to ushering in a new era of politics in the United States, Dean outlined that: "campaigns require a two-way dialogue between voters and their candidates." In a strategic broadcasting move, perhaps implemented to avoid any ‘live’ political humiliations considering the more than liberal footing that YouTube and large sways of its community stand upon, the debate’s television producers will be charged with pre-selecting the questions to be put to the two candidates. The YouTube Democratic debate will be held at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, on Monday, July 23 and will air live on CNN. A similar YouTube Republican presidential forum hosted by CNN will take place in Florida on Monday, Sept 17.