Perhaps following the success of the live CNN/YouTube debate involving US Democratic presidential candidates last month, music channel MTV and popular online social network MySpace.com have partnered to host an innovative discussion session aimed at young people. Using email, SMS and instant messaging, young voters will be able to submit their questions to candidates in eleven one-hour slots from September to December 2007.

According to MTV spokesman Ian Rowe, 'This is not a debate. Each one of these dialogues is an opportunity for young people both on a college campus - as well as millions watching via a live stream on MySpace and MTV.com - to have one-on-one, direct, unfiltered conversation with each candidate'.

Democratic candidates who have agreed to take part are: John Edwards, Hilary Clinton, Christopher Dodd, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson.

Republican candidates who have agreed to take part are: Rudy Giuliani, Ron Paul, Duncan Hunter, John McCain, Sam Brownback and Mitt Romney.

Although this is a non-partisan event, this is a good example of how 'long tail' principles can be applied to political communications, and is the kind of thing I have always advocated for political parties. For example, if a party creates a forum where young people can come to discuss politics, and engage openly and meaningfully with politicians, when those young people come to vote they will remember that that particular party gave them the best opportunities to engage.

Labels: Barack Obama, Democrats, Hilary Clinton, John Edwards, John McCain, MTV, MySpace, Presidential election, Republicans, Rudy Giuliani

# posted by Will they vote for you @ 06:18