Politics + YouTube + CNN = ?

Update:
Watch the candidate ads; read (or watch) the 38 questions. A perspective from Deborah White.

Tonight's Monday's Democratic Presidential primary debate is a marriage (well, at least a first date) of new technology and (relatively) old media (CNN is, after all, a cable company, not a terrestrial broadcaster).

In case you've been somewhere other than online lately, the "news" is that today, Democratic party challengers will answer questions generated by "you" (Time's person of the year) -- rather than seasoned political reporters and pundits -- although question selection has been trusted not to the wisdom of crowds but to CNN.

The candidates are in Charleston, SC, where CNN host Anderson Cooper is moderating the program at 7 pm Eastern. "We will make responsible editorial decisions about what will air during the debate," according to David Bohrman, CNN senior vice president and Washington bureau chief.

Almost 3000 videos have been submitted as of this writing. Updates on the event can be found on YouTube's Political Vlog.

CNN is also asking viewers for post-debate video clips (bypassing YouTube). "[S]hare your views via I-Report ... record your commentary and reaction video. Let us know how you think candidates are doing. Your video could be part of CNN's post-debate coverage."

Republicans get their chance to join the new media fray 17 September, live from St. Petersburg, FL.

Post-Debate Events

• Former Senator John Edwards (D-SC) is participating in a 30 minute live appearance. He will answer the two questions that have the highest community counts, "a netroots campaign to have the presidential candidates answer our questions, not theirs."
• The Seattle Times and TVW is holding a live, call-in program with Seattle Times political reporter David Postman and columnist Danny Westneat.

The Candidates

• Biden
• Clinton
• Dodd
• Edwards
• Gravel
• Kucinich
• Obama
• Richardson

^{Originally published at noon Pacific, Monday 23 July}