As the Republican YouTube debate scheduled for September 17th approaches, it appears that most candidates are uninterested in the “gimmicky” format, with only Senator John McCain and Representative Ron Paul agreeing to participate. The debate, hosted by the Republican Party of Florida in St. Petersburg, in partnership with CNN and YouTube, aims to engage voters through user-submitted video questions.
Ron Paul’s participation is no surprise given his popularity online, while McCain, struggling in the polls, likely sees this as an opportunity to boost his visibility. However, leading candidates like Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney have shown little enthusiasm for the event.
Romney, in particular, expressed his concerns about the format, criticizing it for its informal nature and the use of props in video questions, stating, “I think the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman.” Despite both Giuliani and Romney having active YouTube channels, their reluctance to join this debate reflects their preference for more traditional formats.
The YouTube debate format allows users to submit video questions, but CNN ultimately selects the topics and questions that are aired. This process has drawn criticism, as it gives CNN control over the debate’s direction, leading to predictable questions on well-worn topics. While CNN promoted the debate as the “people’s debate,” critics argue that it is more of a staged event, handpicked by the network.
For some, like Romney, the debate feels more like a “presidential reality show” rather than a serious political forum. With only two candidates confirmed, it remains to be seen whether others will join or if the event will struggle to make an impact.
