One of the oddest moments of the YouTube CNN debate was when Fred Thompson had his opportunity to air this 30-second spot:

Odd because this was the first and only time a candidate - Republican or Democrat - had used their 30-second opportunity to take a swing at their opponents.

In an interview posted today by John Hawkins at Right Wing News, Fred Thompson's campaign manager, Bill Lacy, discusses their YouTube debate commercial strategy.

Now, tell us a little bit about the decision to go negative with Fred's ad in the debate. That was a bold choice. Why did you decide to do that instead of going with a positive Thompson ad?

First of all, people in the mainstream media would never buy this, but I find bloggers, in this respect, are more subtle sometimes...

Are you getting ready to say that it's not really a negative ad because...

That's exactly what I'm getting ready to say.

(Laughing) That's true.

I'm gonna say that if they said in the past and they said it on tape...it's not negative. We're just literally taking something they've said and they've done (and putting it out there). I just don't personally view that as being negative.

You're right. ...Technically, it's not negative...but, why you decide to go with an ad to push the other candidates down instead of pushing Fred up?

I think the idea was to start to get people to think about, in this case, ...the two governors, their past records, and what they've done, and to understand that one of Fred's big advantages is that he's a consistent conservative, that everybody in the race has been in different positions in the past.

...The other piece of it was that we wanted to try to get some people to go take a look at the two minute version of it on our website, which I think is a very strong piece that I think completes the trilogy by adding mayor Giuliani and a couple of his comments and then finishes with a strong, very positive 30 seconds on Fred. We thought that was more likely to catch people's attention and drive them to the website...

Well, you know it worked. I don't even remember what any of the other ads were at this point. Yours did stick out at least.

It did get some attention.

Looking back on the video, I would argue that it was one of the largest missed opportunities of the campaign. After all, 4.5 million viewers were tuned in and paying attention. This would have been a great time to get the momentum shifting back in Fred's direction.

Let me explain...

The reason this video missed its mark was not because it pulled down unsavory YouTube clips of Fred's opponents -- that is fair game, a smart use of the medium, and was pretty darn clever. It effectively put those opponents on defense with their own words which they had to try and explain. Bravo. Snaps. But the video did not put Fred on offense.

The reason it failed to make any real impact was because Fred had no starring role.

Instead of relying on their best (only?) asset - Fred Thompson - they relied on floating text and conga drums to drive their message that he is the only conservative in the race.

Those words likely poll well, but I was sitting in the audience and I could hardly read what the words said on the 25-foot screen in front of me. 4.5 million viewers tuned in - I doubt I was alone.

Look, if you need a sale, who on that stage is a better salesman than Fred Thompson?

Instead, I would have argued my case to Bill Lacy and the highly-paid media consultant that Fred needed to remind folks why they started liking him in the first place. It wasn't a flashy piece of direct mail or a phone call.

Quite simply, it was this video and a belief that Fred was a different kind of politician:

Yup, I would have asked Fred to sit in that chair again, turn around to the camera with a cigar in hand and say that he was looking up some of his opponents on YouTube to prepare for the debate, and then literally show him watching the unsavory clips on YouTube. After the clips, Fred could have simply cocked his head with a "huh?" expression, told viewers to look at YouTube themselves for his opponents names, and then asked people to go to his website to see why he's the only consistent conservative in the race.

That would have put the ball squarely in Fred's court and would have shined a brighter light on several YouTube clips that millions of Americans have never seen.

The Fred Thompson recipe for YouTube success calls for one-part charisma, one-part Hollywood, two-parts red meat conservative rhetoric, and a dash of comedy relief.

At one point, we believed. Remember?

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.

We've made it to St. Petersburg, Florida for the YouTube CNN Debate. I'm sitting in the "press filing center" at a table with Patrick Ruffini, Robert Bluey, and Mary Katharine Ham.

It's kind of funny, but the "bloggers" are actually in a better position in the press filing center. In other words, it matters where you're sitting in the press filing center (or at least that is what one journalist tells me), and we're sitting in front of about 75 percent of the reporters in the third row of tables. I'm just saying...

Jumping over to "Vlogger Lounge" to grab a vitamin water (Power-C for the VW fans in the room), I made this video via YouTube's Live Capture:

Earlier today we had lunch with YouTube CEO Chad Hurley, who is much more down to earth than you'd think, and several YouTube users including:

* Melissa Compagnucci (aka "MelissaJenna")
Dennis Trainor (aka "Davis Fleetwood")
* Michael Weitz (aka "ConservativeVoiceUSA")
* Ray Keller (aka "plkellerap")

Robert Bluey is posting mad pics to his flickr account and has some of the lunch.

The question that I asked of the YouTube users was "Which candidate they thought had actually used YouTube effectively to communicate with the YouTube community?"

Surprisingly, the answer was none. However, they did make a few interesting points after they eased up a little bit:

* They all really liked Mike Huckabee's Chuck Norris video because they thought it was appropriate content for YouTube.
* They agreed that no candidate had really figured out the platform noting that the high-production value is questioned by the YouTube community as not being authentic. "Authentic" was an important word used throughout the discussion.
* Again, agreement among the crew that Ron Paul, and/or his community, was the one using YouTube the best.

With a little over a month to go until the *Republican* YouTube/CNN debate I want to encourage you to get your question submitted to YouTube sooner rather than later.

While I'm hopeful that my question will be asked, here is another that I'd like to see our candidates answer.

It comes from YouTube weblebrity MelissaJenna (Melissa Compagnucci of San Luis Obispo, California):

I've looked through a lot of the questions that could get asked. And while the actual content of the question for some of the videos might be good, most would never make the air because of horrible audio, lighting, and length. On the other hand, Jenna's video is short (30 seconds) and it looks and sounds good which could mean that her question will make it to the candidates.

With that being said, let's play out how we'd answer the question. The obvious and correct answer to weave in to the opening response to this question would be to say both your mom and your wife -- two women who most everyone can relate to in one way or another.

But I'm interested to see which women they'd choose to discuss next.

For me, I'd choose Mozilla's "Chief Lizard Wrangler," Mitchell Baker, whose dedication to open-source applications has helped improve life in the modern world. She has a killer entrepreneurial spirit which is something I admire. Another I'd point to is HP's CEO from 1999-2005, Carly Fiorina, who is/was always considered one of the hardest workers in the corporate world. I admire that vigor.

But that's just where I'd start. There are many others and I look forward to hearing who our guys look up to.

Who would you choose?

Here's my question for the upcoming YouTube-CNN debate:

The gist of my question:

Forty-eight percent of Gen Next identify more with the Democratic Party while just 35 percent feel connected to the GOP, according to recent data from the prestigious, nonpartisan Pew Research Center, making this the least-Republican generation of all generations currently voting.

If you're elected President, what will you do to reach out to Gen Next voters?

For further thoughts on this issue, check out my previous posts:

* Gen Next = Gen Democrat (Jan. 25, 2007)
* Is Karl Rove a Modern Republican? (March 27, 2007)
* VIDEO: Dear President Bush (May 24, 2007)
* Rock the (Right) Vote (Sept. 10, 2007)

What do I have in common with NBC's Tom Brokaw?

Well, it turns out not much but we are both contributors to an op-ed running in the New York Times today called "Changing the Terms of Debate," which asks seven media and technologist-types: What would a real new-media debate look like?

Here's my piece:

August 17, 2007
Op-Ed Contributor

The People's Court
By DAVID ALL

SOME have argued that the "community" should be choosing which questions to ask the candidates, while others have said that the "community" should have a chance to weigh in after the debate. Both are novel, but I'm interested in how we get the "community" to participate during the debate.

The audience should be given a share of the stage with the debate moderator. The millions of voters watching the debate could interrupt, in real time, from the comfort of their homes to help hold the candidates accountable for their answers.

If people thought Hillary Clinton did not answer a question thoroughly, they could text on their cell phones, call the toll-free number on the screen, or vote online to register their dissatisfaction.

And if a majority of the viewers thought she dodged a question or otherwise failed to answer, she would be asked to try again.

— DAVID ALL, president of a Republican consulting firm that helps candidates develop new-media strategies.

So what are your ideas for a real new media debate?

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:

Patrick Hynes, author of Ankle Biting Pundits and John McCain's modern media guy, takes a swipe at the SaveTheDebate coalition (of which I'm a co-founder), arguing that we're letting Mitt Romney "off the hook" too easily:

...but it is terribly difficult for me to take such an effort as “Save the Debate” seriously if they continue to let former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney off the hook for blowing off the debate they endeavored to save.

If the debate were next month, Patrick may have a point to take up with me and others if Mitt had yet to accept an invitation. However, the debate is scheduled for November 28 -- more than three months from now.

I asked Kevin Madden, Mitt Romney's press secretary to comment on the upcoming YouTube/CNN debate, and he said, "We have had regular contact with CNN, we are aware of the date they have settled upon and we will, of course consider the invitation when we make decisions about our travel schedule for late November."

In other words, Mitt's not saying "no." He just isn't in a position, yet, to say "yes."

Let's give them some room to make a decision that we're all comfortable with. Fortunately, the debate's not going anywhere.

The following email was just sent out:

------ Forwarded Message
From: Save the Debate
Reply-To:
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:27:23 -0700
To:
Subject: Breaking: You saved the debate!

Dear David,

You did it!

Thanks to your efforts, the Republican YouTube debate is back on -- for Wednesday, November 28th. That's just over a month out from the Iowa Caucuses, and that means this debate will be even more important and more closely followed.

In case you're wondering whether it was you that made the difference, just read what Presidential campaign insiders told the Washington Times:

Multiple sources close to the discussions say it was pressure from conservative bloggers, not scheduling conflicts, that made the reluctant Republican candidates reconsider.

Two weeks ago, a number of prominent conservative bloggers launched an effort called "Save the Debate" that generated what one of the campaigns referred to as a "full-court press," from conservative activists.

We may have won this battle -- but our work is far from over. From now until November 28th, the online movement we have built will focus on ensuring that every Republican who wants to ask a question of our next President has the opportunity to do so.

To do this, we'll need Video Volunteers who can record questions from citizens in their community, whether it's at the county fair, at the mall, or at a local Republican Party event. We can only do it with your help. Have a camera or webcam and want to help? Just go to:

http://www.SavetheDebate.com/VideoVolunteer

The "debate about the debate" has shown us there is still a digital divide in America. Not everyone is on YouTube. But that doesn't mean they can't participate in this historic debate.

Some are concerned about a liberal tilt to the debate questions.

It's because of you that we will have this debate. Now it's on us to make sure it's successful, with substantive questions from across America:

http://www.SavetheDebate.com/VideoVolunteer

We're also calling on the Republican National Committee, state Republican parties, and conservative organizations to join us in this exciting grassroots effort to mobilize participation in this debate. And once you've collected the questions, or if you have one of your own, please submit your question(s) at:
http://www.SavetheDebate.com/submit.php

We have seen some reports that not all candidates have yet committed to the just-announced November 28th date.

We are extremely optimistic about the incredible momentum behind this debate. Save the Debate is confident that when the dust settles, every candidate will seize this historic opportunity to engage the American people. Thanks for all you've done so far. Now the real work begins.

- Patrick, David, Soren, and the entire SavetheDebate team

Jonathan mentioned it briefly in his post below, but to be clear -- the GOP's YouTube/CNN debate is officially scheduled for Weds., Nov. 28 in Florida. Can I get a collective "Woot!" from all of the TechRepublicans please (leave it in the comments)?

Those of us involved in the SaveTheDebate coalition will be making a special announcement/call to action in the very near future so stay tuned to your inbox (if you signed the petition).

Here's the official press release from the Google PR team:

CNN, YouTube to Hold Republican Debate in Florida on Nov. 28

CNN, YouTube, and the Republican Party of Florida today announced that they will hold their Republican primary debate on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Like the Democratic CNN/YouTube debate, this live two-hour forum will feature video questions submitted to YouTube that will be broadcast and answered by the candidates on CNN. CNN’s Anderson Cooper will moderate.

This debate will be held at the Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg. Online users are currently able to submit their questions at www.youtube.com/debates.

On a side note, it's never too soon to start planning a bash in Florida at the debate. Email me (david.all AT TechRepublican.com) if you have suggestions or want to help coordinate an event.