TechRepublican is pleased to welcome Erin VanSickle, press secretary for the Republican Party of Florida to the discussion.

Politics has come a long way: No longer the stuff of smoky, cigar-filled back rooms or pristine putting greens, the American political landscape has metamorphisized into a world in which the Republican community is becoming actively involved like never before through interactive websites like YouTube, TechRepublican, and MySpace.

The Republican Party of Florida has embraced this world of new media as a way to reach out to voters and share our message of lower taxes, less government, and more freedom.

First, we launched a cutting-edge new website, which allows users to get breaking news, download podcasts, and access video and audio clips. More recently, the Republican Party of Florida announced that it will partner with YouTube and CNN to produce a historic, user-generated debate between the Republican presidential candidates in St. Petersburg. The two-hour debate, which will take place on November 28, 2007, will be moderated by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and will air live on CNN and CNN En Espanol.

We are especially excited about the RPOF’s new YouTube Channel, youtube.com/rpof, launched in conjunction with our new website and just in time for the announcement on the RPOF/CNN/YouTube debate. It includes a popular “how-to” video by one of Florida’s own up-and-coming political bloggers that explains how to submit one’s video question for the debate. Because the RPOF YouTube Channel is linked to our website, individuals who may not be as familiar with the debate format or YouTube itself can easily access information on both. We have also set up “YouTube Tech Rooms” at RPOF events, including our August Quarterly meeting in Orlando, to capture video questions from Republican grassroots activists.

While we continue to target Florida Republicans in our quest for video submissions, we also realize the importance of hearing other Sunshine State points of view. That is why we will work CNN and YouTube to reach out to those who may not have access to the Internet to submit their video questions, penetrating the many corners of Florida’s diverse geopolitical landscape in order to hear as many voices as possible, including Florida’s significant Hispanic, African American, Jewish, military, and senior populations. Given Florida’s large Hispanic population, it is especially important that CNN En Espanol will be airing the debate.

Just like the presidential campaigns, the Republican Party of Florida has learned that the Internet is a powerful tool in not only educating voters on the Presidential candidates, but also allowing voters to express their opinions and ideas. We see it as an unprecedented opportunity for Florida Republicans, and Republicans across the nation, to ask our presidential candidates where they stand on the issues that are most important to them. This empowers our voters and offers them a one-of-a-kind opportunity to have a direct impact on the outcome of the debate—and the opportunity to have their question answered by the next President of the United States.

The 2008 presidential cycle truly illustrates the impact of the new media revolution. The Republican Party of Florida is proud to be a part of that revolution and we pledge to stay on the cutting edge of technology, voter education, and outreach.

Don't forget to submit your video question now for the RPOF/CNN/YouTube debate: