YouTube Debate Commentary

YouTube Debate Blog

I too think that the politician should have used this opportunity to clearly express his own opinions on the death penalty. This is such a controversial topic at the moment and is something that voters are concerned with. The politician might have provided a witty answer to work his way around the question, but I agree that the question should have been handled in a more appropriat manner. I see the politicians viewpoint however. When one is used to being questioned a certain way by a certain type of person (journalists, for example), it is tricky getting thrown into a completely new situation. The YouTube debate is almost a test to how the candidates can handle questions that are outside of what is normal. We not only want to hear what they have to say, but we want to see how they treat questions coming from everyday normal people instead of those who study politics and are skilled in asking political questions. The rise of the internet has certainly changed politics and it will have an interesting effect on this upcoming election.