Google, YouTube to bring presidential forum to N.O.

[southern_belle]

Source: The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

Internet giants Google and YouTube announced plans today for a major post-convention presidential forum in New Orleans, a move that could provide a national boost for the city after it was spurned last year by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Google, the dominant Web search engine, and YouTube, the online video platform, are proposing the forum with the major party presidential candidates be held Sept. 18 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, just after the parties complete their conventions in late August and early September. It would be eight days before the first scheduled presidential commission debate in Oxford, Miss.

The announcement, made today on Google's Web site, did not reveal whether any of the candidates -- presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona, or Democratic candidates Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois or Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York -- have agreed to participate.

``snip``

"We are working toward a new Louisiana -- and I invite the presidential nominees and the nation -- to come see firsthand the tremendous progress our state has made in the face of great challenges," Jindal said in a statement prepared for the announcement. "I look forward to a discussion of many challenges facing not just New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, but our entire country."

Read more: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/new_orleans_to_host_presidenti.html

[muryan]

1. Another reason why Google and YouTube

are some of the good guys in my opinion.

[Indydem]

2. well hopefully Obama will agree to this forum, and McSame doesn't scare him off n/t