YouTube Changing the Platform of Political Debate

You probably remember learning about the famous television debate between then-Senator John F. Kennedy and then-Vice President Richard M. Nixon back in 1960. Perhaps you even saw it on television for yourself. Whatever your experience of this historical broadcast, chances are you know that the debate was a pivotal moment in politics and paved the way in which the American people observe their candidates.

Of course, you also know that nowadays, the Internet is an integral tool in communications and political platforms. We’ve come a long way since 1960, and now YouTube is joining in the movement with its launch of CNN/YouTube Debates, as well as the Google Moderator. For the upcoming 2010 midterm elections, YouTube is taking it a step further by partnering with various news agencies across the nation for a series of political debates.

The debates they will be launching include Nevada (October 14), Iowa (October 21), and Colorado (October 13). Viewers can visit each dedicated channel to submit their questions and vote for their preference.  YouTube also recently partnered with 10Questions.com, a website that recently created political debate platforms via the Google Moderator API.

The candidates will give their answers to the questions that received the most votes on YouTube Debates.

Because transparency and information are both such critical elements of any political campaign, we’re betting that YouTube’s involvement will bring in a whole new breed of voters and informed citizens.