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From NRO’s media blog on August 13th, a post written by Guy Benson touches on an important set of details about the 2008 debate. He states that Romney still pans the YouTubeCnn debate. Further he indicates Romney is the only GOP holdout for the on again, off again November repeat of the Democrats version.

NRO media blog
Monday, August 13, 2007
Romney Questions CNN/YouTube Debate Format
[Guy Benson]

At least one of the GOP presidential candidates isn’t thrilled at the prospect of participating in a debate featuring virtual questions from internet junkies across the country. Mitt Romney suggested that the format is a bit unserious for a presidential debate, and has yet to confirm whether he’ll participate in November’s on-again, off-again “YouTube” debate on CNN.

He mentions a WaPo blog which ponders the value of debate questions from tubers that are provided in advance. Then the author says he understands Romney’s reluctance to attend the debate but wonders how it will look if he is the only one who doesn’t show?

You can find an earlier post here somewhere expressing discontent with the YouTubeCNN debate scheme. Because that is about all it is, a scheme. Consistent with actions by many politicians, YouTube and CNN are exploiting the political process and offering another meaningless debate that makes fools of voters who get sucked in to this joke. Traditional debates are scripted and every detail is worked out in advance. Brian Williams of NBC expressed a similar complaint after the last one he worked and it may have been the first time, or at least in recent history, where a member of the ‘established’ media panned the debate process for what it is, theater of the compelled and complicit.

The only positive contribution to the YouTubeCNN debate format is letting the general public participate. But that is where it stops. There was a screening process of videos submitted. You can count on that. So was the public really participating?

The Dems played this game because it fits their formula. Their particular skills are pandering and the Y/C debate provided a natural setting for that. Everything else about this format is essentially the same as the useless traditional debate format.

This blog favors Mitt Romney for President. And his displeasure with the YouTube/CNN debate fad is one more example that he displays characteristics of a man who is sensible and intelligent. As demonstrated in this story also, he again shows leadership for not following fad proposals on a whim. The only acceptable reason to attend would be to show those who skipped the Iowa Straw Poll that he will compete even in absurd situations. At least three of his fellow candidates have shown their reluctance to accept the challenge of campaigning by their absence in Iowa.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 14th, 2007 at 4:10 pm and is filed under Public Affairs, wordpress, Politics, campaign, election, youtube, GOP, News Media, romney. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.