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US Democrats hold YouTube debate US Democrats hold YouTube debate
(about 3 hours later)
The US Democratic presidential hopefuls are taking part in the first debate to use only video questions submitted online by the public. The first US presidential candidates' debate using only questions submitted online by the public has been held.
The eight Democratic Party hopefuls were asked questions on issues ranging from the war in Iraq to health care, taxes and same-sex marriage.
The link-up by broadcaster CNN and the video-sharing website YouTube is being hailed as a political milestone.The link-up by broadcaster CNN and the video-sharing website YouTube is being hailed as a political milestone.
About 2,000 30-second questions have been submitted, ranging from issues such as Iraq to health care and Darfur. Up to 30 will be put to the candidates. Questions were chosen from nearly 3,000 submitted in the form of 30-second video clips posted on YouTube.
Analysts say online video could play a big role in the 2008 White House race.Analysts say online video could play a big role in the 2008 White House race.
Iraq exchange
Candidates from both parties have been trying to build up internet support using social networking and video-sharing sites, with Democratic Senator Barack Obama proving particularly successful.Candidates from both parties have been trying to build up internet support using social networking and video-sharing sites, with Democratic Senator Barack Obama proving particularly successful.
The Republicans will be asked questions submitted via YouTube on 17 September in Florida.The Republicans will be asked questions submitted via YouTube on 17 September in Florida.
Cancer appeal The time to ask how we're going to get out of Iraq was before we got in Barack ObamaSenator, Illinois class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6908800.stm">Changing face of debate
Monday's debate in South Carolina began broadcasting at 1900 EST (2300 GMT). It is putting the challengers for the Democratic nomination on the spot with questions directly from the voters. Some of the strongest exchanges between the candidates were over the war in Iraq.
We are the average American, the YouTube user, and we are being let into the inner sanctum Blogger Steve Petersen class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6908800.stm">Changing face of debate Illinois Senator Barack Obama criticised his rivals in Congress who voted to support the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
CNN's politics team has selected the questions to be asked. The videos, which range from high-production numbers to grainy webcam shoots, are often quirky and very personal. "The time to ask how we're going to get out of Iraq was before we got in," he said.
In one, a 36-year-old cancer patient called Kim pulls off a wig to reveal hair loss from chemotherapy as she asks about health care for those without health insurance. Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich said he had voted against the war and blamed political game-playing for continuing the conflict.
In other clips, members of the public ask the candidates about their plans for Iraq after troop withdrawal, their foreign policy views and environmental issues. "The Democrats have failed the American people," he said.
Analysts say the questions, because they are personal, may be less predictable and harder for the candidates to answer than those usually posed by journalists. Quirky and personal
Public access Raising another contentious issue for Americans, a lesbian couple asked if the candidates would allow them to be married.
About 10 members of the public who submitted questions were invited to South Carolina to watch the debate and will have access to the candidates afterwards in the "spin room", where they talk to journalists. Candidates disagreed about marriage rights for gay couplesMr Kucinich said he would. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut said he would not.
John Edwards plans to hold a live webcast after the debate After being pressed on the issue, North Carolina Senator John Edwards said he did not support gay marriage.
Steve Petersen, a political blogger from Maryland who was one of those picked, told the BBC News website he was very excited to be attending. "But I think it's wrong for me as the President of the United States... to use my faith to deny anyone their rights," he added.
In his 19-second video, he asks the presidential candidates where they get their information about world and current events from and why they trust those sources. CNN's politics team selected the questions to be asked. The videos, which ranged from high-production numbers to grainy webcam shoots, were often quirky and very personal.
"It appears that CNN and YouTube really want to bring the average American into the process," he said, speaking from South Carolina. In one, a 36-year-old cancer patient called Kim pulled off a wig to reveal hair loss from chemotherapy as she asked about health care for those without health insurance.
"We are the average American, the YouTube user, and we are being let into the inner sanctum where usually only journalists and campaign staffers can go." About 10 members of the public who submitted questions were invited to South Carolina to watch the debate and were given access to the candidates afterwards in the "spin room", where they usually talk to journalists.
The candidates have already tried to engage with the YouTube audience, with Senator Joseph Biden, for example, uploading a guide telling supporters how to submit a question on Iraq.The candidates have already tried to engage with the YouTube audience, with Senator Joseph Biden, for example, uploading a guide telling supporters how to submit a question on Iraq.
John Edwards, former senator for North Carolina, said in a YouTube video that he expected to hear different questions from the public than from the media. He will hold a live webcast after the event.
Some commentators, however, have suggested the excitement over the debate may turn out to be more hype than a real turning point in US politics.Some commentators, however, have suggested the excitement over the debate may turn out to be more hype than a real turning point in US politics.