Left Out of Prez Debates, New Orleans Goes Online

Google, YouTube step in after official commission's snub
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 29, 2008 2:32 PM CDT
Left Out of Prez Debates, New Orleans Goes Online
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley, right, look into a microbiological cell reactor as they tour a biotechnology lab at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C. Tuesday, April 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Overlooked by the commission that schedules presidential debates, New Orleans has enlisted Google and YouTube in organizing its own forum, the Times-Picayune reports. The Sept. 18 event, 8 days before the first official debate, is intended to bring the political spotlight to the beleaguered city. Gov. Bobby Jindal touted it as "a discussion of many challenges facing not just New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, but our entire country."

A Google VP called the event "an important way for citizens to be actively engaged," and a co-founder said YouTube is "honored to help."  Although none of the candidates has committed to attending, both Democrats criticized the debate commission's decision to skip New Orleans, and John McCain last week backed the ongoing recovery effort. (More Google stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X