CNN/Youtube debates: user video submissions

Posted Sun, Jun 17, 2007 at 9:08 am

Youtube wants their users to submit videos with questions for the upcoming Democratic debate to be held on CNN on July 23rd and moderated by fluffball Anderson Cooper. I just watched a few of the current submissions, and boy is my spirit tired.

While one of them features the attractive "Resident", and at least two of them involve illegal immigration (1,2) all of the ones I looked at are questions that will make the candidates very happy, because they'll simply be able to go into their talking points playback mode. There is one somewhat funny one with an interesting question, and another with a question that either tries to be funny or is sad, and another asking whether Bill will be the real president.

However, none of the questions attempt to call the politicians on what they have stated or supported, and none of them attempt to make them defend their policies. I'll be repurposing a couple of my longer videos to fit under the 30 seconds running time, but I suspect that - even if they're allowed into the contest - they won't be asked because, well, "boxers or briefs" is so much more entertaining and easier to answer, right?

LIGHT A CANDLE UPDATE: Here's my entry in their contest. It's a cut-down version of the other video from me that you might have seen concerning Hillary Clinton's support for the DREAM Act. It's currently at #74 on their list of contest entries, although I think my neighbor in the list might attract more views.

Tags: 
youtube corporate
dream act

Comments

Patrick (not verified)

Sun, 06/17/2007 - 23:45

"Most of the 12 million or more illegal immigrants in this country lack high school educations and have low wage and skill levels. Senators Obama, Biden and Clinton have supported giving these illegal immigrants citizenship, including some with criminal records and court ordered deportation. What do you think would be the impact on education, govt spending, crime, and income inequality in giving this group a path to citizenship?" " Senators Obama, Clinton and Biden: You voted against the Cornyn Amendment during Senate immigration debate which elimated from the Z visa amnesty program those illegal immigrants who have criminal records or court-ordered deportations. Why do you support giving amnesty to illegal immigrants with misdemeanor criminal records?" "Some have said this Senate immigration bill repeats the mistake of 1986. Do you believe the 1986 bill was mistaken, what were the mistakes that a new immigration bill should correct, and does the senate immigration bill correct them?" "How many millions of immigrants do you want to see come to America and/or get legalized from illegal status in the next decade? Does the Senate immigration plan to legalize 12 million and bring perhaps another 15 million in the next decades represtent too much, too little or just right levels?"

Patrick (not verified)

Sun, 06/17/2007 - 23:49

"A University of Chicago study found that 48 percent of African-American young adults agreed with the statement that "the government treats most immigrants better than it treats most black people in this country." Do you agree or disagree with that statement and what would you do to change things to impact that viewpoint?"

Patrick (not verified)

Mon, 06/18/2007 - 00:41

"What problem is solved by giving a path to citizenship for 12 million illegal aliens, and do you believe that is worth the costs to taxpayers?" "Do you think giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship is fair to those legal immigrants who followed the rules? Why or why not?"

D Flinchum (not verified)

Mon, 06/18/2007 - 08:52

For any Democratic candidate: "You say you are an environmentalist. How does adding 100 million more people to the US in the next 30 years or so via massive immigration square with this position?"

Fred Dawes (not verified)

Tue, 06/26/2007 - 00:29

My question would be to hillary and Obama, "Is How many American will you arrest/apprehend/detain and put in some camp system or a reeducation camp". If people of this once Great Nation say no to your evil plan's? what do you think would happen to ME? If I asked a real question?