A mashup of CNN and YouTube

On July 23, CNN will air a Web 2.0-inspired Democratic presidential primary debate, with the main questions for the candidates pulled almost entirely from videos submitted to YouTube. (Republicans out there, don’t fret — there’s a similar CNN/YouTube event planned for September 17). Anyway, it sounds like CNN is really behind the concept, calling the new debate format “historic” and “unprecedented.” There’s still time to submit an entry before July 22:

“This summer and fall, YouTube, CNN and a few engaged and engaging

citizens will make political history by having the presidential

candidates answer questions submitted via YouTube videos. The first debate will feature the Democratic candidates on July 23rd in Charleston, South Carolina.

Submit your question for the Democrats between June 14 and July 22 (the earlier the better).

The CNN political team will choose the most creative and compelling videos,

and if yours is one of them, you may get the chance to fly to Charleston to watch the debate live

and offer your reactions afterward on YouTube’s political video blog,

Citizentube. So if you’ve always wanted your voice to be heard, now’s your chance — grab a camera and get rolling.”

Thus far, about 10% of the 2,000 or so questions submitted to YouTube have been viewed more than 1,000 times each. The Wall Street Journal wasn’t too impressed with these numbers, but hey, it’s still more than 12 months to go until Election Day!

[image: The CNN*YouTube Debates]