“BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhuanet) — Eight U.S. Republican presidential contenders on Wednesday night faced a challenge they have never met before — an unconventional CNN/YouTube debate with videotaped questions that range from the serious to the silly, media reported. For the first time, the GOP candidates have to be nimble in responding to video questions submitted by the public via YouTube, just as Democratic White House hopefuls did in July. CNN’s political team said they have viewed nearly 5,000 videos for the debate. “Only about 40 will be played at the debate,” they added….

But the clips submitted also included protecting pets, respect for gay and transgendered people, and personal queries such as “What is the dumbest thing you’ve ever done?” and “How do you know that you won’t lose?”" (Link)

The concept is great. have viewers record their questions, upload it to YouTube, and submit it. YouTube can’t complain it gets their name out and makes them even more famous. The good news is, all of the questions are pre-screened. You would think that the questions would have to be screened before hand. There is no way they would let unknown questions just appear on live TV.

I think involving technology in the presidential debate is a great way to get the “younger” (read as 18-25) demographic to vote. Anything the government can do to get more people to vote the better.

I know that I will be voting come election time — not because of YouTube though.

-Justin