Word from inside- the- beltway is that GOP presidential candidates are
extremely dubious about whether to participate in the YouTube GOP
debates coming up soon.
My sources say that CNN is calling prominent grassroots Republicans and
begging for them to submit YouTube questions, and not a lot of folks
are responding.
Ian Schwartz, who practically invented video on the Internet,
has a compelling arguement about why we need to be involved with
YouTube. I don't know if I agree --yet.
The ONLY way it works is if the Republicans distinguish themselves
from the Democrats by pointing out when a question is absurd or biased
and not be dragged down to the level of Freak Show elements by
legitimizing stoned-out people asking about reparations for slavery,
snowmen asking about saving the snowpeople from Global Warming, and
having little children ask questions their adult parents asked them to
parrot into the camera.
I
don't know how much confidence I have in the GOP candidates to do that,
and yet do it in a way where they don't look snide and condescending.
The
problem with the You Tube/CNN debates wasn't the concept - it's quite
OK with me to have REAL AMERICANS asking questions via video.
The problem as I see it is that the producers of this stunt were
producing entertainment - and from their own typical liberal bias - and
not trying to provoke thoughtful debate among the participants.
But I could be convinced. So, what do you think?
First, read Ian's comments"Save the Debate" at www.ianschwartz.com
Mouse over to the poll that's up now.
