The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has teamed up with MySpace to create an online website for the upcoming Presidential election that will include live streaming video and real time polling. MyDebates.org will be open to anyone (with a MySpace account), and will launch on the first debate on September 26, 2008.
The CPD is a bi-partisan effort that establishes the rules and guidelines for the four "official" debates leading up to this November’s election.
Visitors to the site will be able to watch the debates stream in real time. A team of employees will monitor the arguments made by each candidate, and will pose relevant questions to visitors.
At MyDebates, users will be able to create widgetized “Issue Cards”, which can be embedded in their blogs and webpages and during the broadcast of each debate, these Issue Cards will fold open to reveal a miniature video player.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen tie-ins between debate organizers and online sites - CNN and YouTube joined forces for the Primary Debates between Republicans and Democrats. But the primary debates are not in the same league as the general election, and MySpace and the CPD seem to be taking a new approach.
Television changed the election process forever, bringing the candidates into the living room of every American. MyDebates has the chance to actually enhance the democratic process by engaging and motivating the millions of apathetic Americans who might not vote otherwise.
The only concern I may have would be on the neutrality of the website. It is no secret that Rupert Murdoch owns MySpace. Murdoch is the owner of FOX News and does not hide his cordial relationship with the GOP. I do not expect voter turnout to increase this year due to this affiliation but the potential will be established for future elections. Those that are apathetic will find reasons why not to participate. I see this as another venue for those individuals that may want to vote and are confused to better inform themselves on the candidates.
As a young prospective voter, I am thrilled about the website. This will allow friends and family to participate in a live discussion on the debate without leaving home. It also breaks down a social/cultural taboo on "politics" as a topic of conversation. No longer will we have to wait until the next day to vent off about a candidate . . . we can now do it live and with others. Consider it Therapy 2.0 brought to you by the Internet.
