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YouTube Asks, Dems Respond

Voters call the shots as candidates answer their questions directly

Posted Jul 24, 2007 6:35 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Voters put questions directly to the Democratic presidential candidates last night, thanks to 3,000 citizens who submitted questions to YouTube. CNN selected and played 39 of the homemade videos, in which regular Americans—including a lesbian couple, a singer, and a snowman—created an unprecedented debate format. The candidates stayed on message, CNN reports, as the voters stole the show.

In the first debate ever to feature exclusively questions from amateurs, topics ranged from health care, US war policy, and global warming (asked by the snowman) to Iran and North Korea, Arab leaders' attitude toward women, and slavery reparations. Costumed interrogators whose questions didn't make the top 39 included people dressed as a Viking and a chicken.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets supporters at the end of the Democratic presidential debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college in Charleston, S.C., Monday, July 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets supporters at the end of the Democratic presidential debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college in Charleston,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. Mike Gravel, D-Alaska, is interviewed at the end of the presidential debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college in Charleston, S.C., Monday, July 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. Mike Gravel, D-Alaska, is interviewed at the end of the presidential debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college in Charleston,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopefuls listen to a question from Shawn Jackson from Ann Arbor, Mich., as they participate in the debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college in Charleston, S.C., Monday, July 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Democratic presidential hopefuls listen to a question from Shawn Jackson from Ann Arbor, Mich., as they participate in the debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college in...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gestures to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., as former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., listens during the debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college in Charleston, S.C., Monday, July 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gestures to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., as former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., listens during the debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopefuls listen to a question from Rev. Reggie Longcrier of Hickory, N.C., as they participate in the debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college in Charleston, S.C., Monday, July 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Democratic presidential hopefuls listen to a question from Rev. Reggie Longcrier of Hickory, N.C., as they participate in the debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college...   (Associated Press)
In this video frame grab taken from CNN television, a YouTube contributor identified Davis Fleetwood from Groton, Mass. poses a question to the Democratic presidential hopefuls on stage at the Citadel in Charleston, S.C. Monday July 23, 2007. (AP Photo/CNN)
In this video frame grab taken from CNN television, a YouTube contributor identified Davis Fleetwood from Groton, Mass. poses a question to the Democratic presidential hopefuls on stage at the Citadel...   (Associated Press)
In this video frame grab taken from CNN television, a YouTube contributor identified as Zach Kempf from Provo, Utah poses a question to the Democratic presidential hopefuls on stage at the Citadel in Charleston, S.C. Monday July 23, 2007. (AP Photo/CNN)
In this video frame grab taken from CNN television, a YouTube contributor identified as Zach Kempf from Provo, Utah poses a question to the Democratic presidential hopefuls on stage at the Citadel in...   (Associated Press)
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*last call*: Youtube presidential debate: ask the candidates   (coldice76 (YouTube))

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YouTube and the revolutionizing of debates
Broadcasting & Cable

Candidates angry over where they stand
Chicago Sun-Times

Live-blogging of the debate
MSNBC

Frontrunner Clinton draws a good measure of opponents' attention
New York Times

More on the questions and the Republicans' YouTube debate (September 17)
Chicago Tribune

 
health care • YouTube • gay marriage • South Carolina • presidential debate • race relations • Democratic voters • CNN • Iraq war • presidential election

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