With queries ranging from the conflict in Darfur to what kitchen appliance candidates would be, students across Penn State's campus submitted video questions for tonight's Republican presidential candidate debate, the second collaboration between CNN and YouTube.
Diana Gruendler, an English 030 (Honors English Composition) professor, required her students to submit 30-second questions to YouTube as part of her class' central theme -- "Democratic Democracy."
"It gave an opportunity for students to actively engage in a writing project that was outside of the classroom," Gruendler said. "This assignment taught students the power of the word and was a perfect opportunity to engage students in politics and to teach them that they have a voice."
This is the second political debate consisting of questions via YouTube videos. The first was a Democratic presidential candidate debate on July 23. Tonight's debate, which airs at 8 p.m on CNN, will be hosted by Anderson Cooper.
"[CNN and YouTube] saw an opportunity to engage citizens in a way that they haven't before," Gruendler said. "Going from 2,000 submissions for the July debate to over 5,000 for this month's debate leads me to believe that this type of debate will become a trend because citizens are willing to be involved."
While only 40 questions will be selected for tonight's debate, all 4,927 submitted questions can be viewed at www.youtube.com/contest/RepublicanDebate.
Students agree that the debate is meant to encourage citizens' participation in the election process.
Kelley Cressman (freshman-international politics), a student in Gruendler's class, said the popularity of the mediums used in tonight's debate -- CNN and YouTube -- may contribute to its success.
"CNN has established a precedent as a well-known source of media that provides the link to the politicians, and YouTube provides the link to everyday people who want their questions answered," she said.
Compared to questions asked in the Democratic debate, students anticipate tonight's questions will be more focused and content-based.
"People have seen what kinds of questions were asked and have a little more experience with it," Meghan Zugibe (freshman-theatre design) said.
Cressman said she submitted a question for tonight's debate concerning whether or not the candidates would be willing to give up some of the powers she believes President George W. Bush has accrued throughout his time in office because of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the Iraq war.
She added that the increase in submissions could be because this debate is for the Republican candidates, the same political party as Bush.
"[The increase] is most likely because of the recognition received by the previous debate and maybe as an opportunity to question the party our current president represents," Cressman said.
Gruendler and students agreed that the collaborative efforts between CNN and YouTube are likely to become a trend after the debates' success.
"I really liked this project because it made it more personal for all of us and got us actively involved in politics, which I think is extremely important, especially in young people," Zugibe said. "I think it's a great idea for elections in the future as well."
