Reinventing the Political Debate

It was the most different, and the most creative, of all the debates so far – and, clearly, the best.

I admit, I was skeptical ahead of time. Afraid YouTube videos would appear too disjointed, too unfocused, too off the wall. I was wrong.

Coming from average citizens, the questions were more blunt, more direct, and covered more territory than we’ve seen so far. And, as voiced by average voters across America, they were also more real.

It was moving to see a woman recovering from breast cancer remove her wig and start talking about healthcare. It was powerful to see a man in front of flags that covered the coffins of his father and grandfather say he didn’t want his youngest son to come up in a flag-draped coffin from Iraq. It was funny, but effective, to have a snowman ask what the candidates would do about global warming. 

Yes, the questions were great. But so were the candidates. On points, I’d give Hillary Clinton the trophy. But Barack Obama had a great night. So’d John Edwards. And Joe Biden, on passion alone, proved he deserves to be in the top tier.

After Monday night’s debate, every one of the Democrats, except for crazy Mike Gravel, should walk away feeling like a winner. Best of all, in November 2008, one of them will be.