The YouTube Republican Debate: Taking "You" Right Out of the Picture

In July, Assicoated Content published an article that praised for the Democratic YouTube debate. It was an event showcased the integration of the modern day Internet generation and the democratic process that is as old as our nation, allowing for Americans to once again feel a unique sense of participation in their once unique form of government.

Following the Democratic YouTube debate, Republican leaders expressed concern regarding the colorful format of the event. There were even rumblings of a possible cancellation.

The first YouTube debate embodied the creativity of Americans who found a new way to express themselves both artistically and politically at the same time. The result was a patchwork of various view expressed in the most imaginative and ingenious ways; a true testament to our diverse and industrious citizenry.

It would appear, however, that the Republican organizers of the second YouTube debate had other thoughts. Reservations that GOP leaders (and candidates) had after the smashingly successful Democratic debate led to the prohibition of inventive and expressively insightful questions that were submitted by users.

Gone were painstakingly developed animations. Gone were questions in song. Gone were insightful short films developed to make a statement about our country to men who may well lead it for the next four years to come.

It's not as if there was any shortage of creative content, either. All five thousand videos are available for viewing on YouTube.com; many of them are exceptionally well produced.

Debate moderator Anderson Cooper even began the unceremonious event with a list of what audiences around the country won't be seeing:

"Dennis Kucinich may have seen a UFO, but we'll have no little green men here in Florida... We won't be seeing Richard Nixon, or little kids used to make adult points, though, there is one question where kids may make an appearance. And don't worry; we tried to keep out of most of the Abe Lincolns and Ben Franklins, and all the animals, both stuffed..."