Yepsen: YouTube, CNN produce engaging debate format

[William769]

Hats off to CNN and YouTube.

The two organizations teamed up Monday night to present a nontraditional debate among Democratic presidential candidates, and they produced an engaging, useful event.

Their idea of having viewers submit their own online videos asking questions of candidates - subject to review and approval by CNN - produced a debate likely to be copied by others in the future.

As with all debates, there were winners and losers:

- No one is laying much of a glove on Hillary Clinton in these things. She's cool and cogent and bears up well under discussions about her being a woman and what she wears. Male politicians, journalists and YouTubers who focus on that just help her rally support from other women.

Since she's the front-runner, until she stumbles - or is tripped up - she'll remain the front-runner.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070724/OPINION01/707240395/1035/OPINION