It's sad, really.

As one of the few individuals who attended both the Democratic YouTube CNN Debate and now the Republican YouTube CNN Debate, I know that this is the last of its kind...

At least with CNN as a sponsor.

The quick-and-short from those of us on the ground was that the CNN editorial process unfairly influenced the debate using its liberal, narrow perspective of what the GOP "represents" to only choose those questions which focused primarily on: God, Guns, Gays, and Immigration.

The most important pieces to read on the debate (until tomorrow):

* Start with Jonathan Martin (Politico), who notes the narrow, liberal bias of CNN.
* Read Matthew Balan (Newsbusters)
* Then read Kenneth Vogel (Politico)

(These were the three items that everyone was talking about at the gnarly after-party hosted by YouTube.)

To be fair, CNN promptly issued an e-release at 1:03 AM EST explaining their mistake with regard to Keith Kerr's awkward and inapropriate participation in the debate:

Following the debate, CNN learned that retired brigadier general Keith Kerr served on Clinton's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender steering committee.

CNN Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of the debate, David Bohrman, says, "We regret this incident. CNN would not have used the General's question had we known that he was connected to any presidential candidate."

Prior to the debate, CNN had verified his military background and that he had not contributed any money to any presidential candidate.

Following the debate, Kerr told CNN that he's done no work for the Clinton campaign. He says he is a member of the Log Cabin Republicans and was representing no one other than himself.

And to be sure, the questions that CNN chose to view included others... But what about:

Health Care?
Energy?
Climate Change?
Personal Responsibility?
Small Business?

Certainly these are issues that ALL Americans care about. But apparently, we, Republicans, only care about a few issues.

One issue was reinforced tonight:

Liberal.
Media.
Bias.
Is.
Very.
Real.

Regarding winners/losers and the importance of this debate format for Republicans, make sure you read Captain Ed's comments.

However, from the ground floor, the CNN bias/gaffe was huge. It deserves your attention and scrutiny.

Personally, I'm hopeful that YouTube will find a new media partner or find a way to better balance the discussion in hopes that our Republican Nominee will agree to a General Debate with Hillary using user-generated questions.

After all, the YouTube Debate format has changed politics by lowering the barrier of entry to any American with a webcam. And with more than 5k questions submitted, citizens participated in a debate like never before.

This format is important. More important than one media partner's participation. Hopefully YouTube will reach out to Fox News, ABC News, NBC, or CBS for the next round?

I'm just saying.

UPDATE: Ruffini gives CNN an "F" and gives YouTube an "A." Agreed.

Robert Bluey, also on hand for the debate writes:

At a time when CNN had an opportunity to shine as host of last night’s Republican presidential debate, the network faltered. Today conservatives are left with yet another example of bias at the highest level of the media establishment. It’s another sad example of how liberals deliberately portray conservatives as gun-toting, Bible-thumping, and gay-bashing bigots.

Kevin Aylward of Wizbang has more details on Kerr.