Rudy, Mitt snub Florida's YouTube debate

The Republican Party of Florida scored when it landed not one, but two presidential primary debates in the state.

Candidates agreed to participate in a traditional forum on Oct. 21 in Orlando broadcast by FOX News. But Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney say they aren't coming to a Sept. 17 debate in St. Petersburg in which ordinary voters can submit questions via YouTube videos.

Are they scared of the melting snowman that featured prominently in the Democratic YouTube debate? Read Beth Reinhard's column here.

Comments

Guess Rudy and Mitt don't neeed the support of Governor Crist. Stupid!

Maybe this headline tells the story of Rudy bailing out:

Thompson catches Rudy in GOP poll

[why]

http://beginnorth.com/blog/?p=93

[noneya]

If these two candidates don't want ot take
unscripted questions from mainstream americans that they are suppose to represent (if they happen to get elected.) Then why would anyone think they would represent
you..... unless you are big corporate america (their base.) It's all about sticking to their talking points to these empty suits. They have to know the questions prior to the debate so they can rehearse.

[jg]

The You Tube debates will be making a big difference this election. Web 2.0 the power of the internet will speak

[jg]

im not voting for any of the two anyways im looking for a real leader ...

[Lisa]

According to the latest Neilson ratings, the greatest YouTube user base is between 12 and 17, not even old enough to vote.

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/bernh003/pdb/049627.html

While the YouTube user base might like to think themselves of great importance, when the demographics are actually reviewed, the 18 - 24 voter has a turnout rate of less than 50%, and the 25 - 34 voter age group is 56%.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/25/AR2005052501965.html

So why should a Presidential candidate respond to a question from a snowman, when very few seemed to be watching the YouTube debate anyway? As for the commenter who suggested these questions are unscripted, get a clue. The questions are selected by the folks at CCN and as all the questions weren't directed at each candidate, you better believe this was scripted.

[Leatherneck]

The Republican Party of Florida's simple minded chairman can take credit for all the bad publicity associated with this event.

[Leatherneck]

The Republican Party of Florida's simple minded chairman can take credit for all the bad publicity associated with this event.

What are they afraid of? Answering questions from real people?