Looks like 2 of the GOP front runners -- Guiliani and Romney -- are taking a pass on the YouTube debate in September, which actually puts the event itself in jeopardy.

[url]http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070731/tv_nm/youtube_dc[/url]

Their inability to make it is attributed to scheduling issues, but what else could possible be going on that would trump a national debate? Your supporters will understand if you have to reschedule an appearance somewhere to attend a debate.

That leaves a few options, IMO:

1. They are afraid of the format. This seems a bit silly, because it really isn't that different from a traditional town hall style debate. The questioners were a bit more relaxed, and the questions were probably a bit less predictable, but on balance, I would like my president to be able to handle that sort of environment. Yes, answering questions from snowmen is a little ridiculous, but there were lots of solid, heartfelt questions -- like the lesbian couple that wanted to know why they couldn't get married -- that more than made up for some of the more comical entries. Going back to a traditional town hall style debate, in which questioners read overly-rehearsed questions off of note cards, would be a step back, IMO.

2. They don't think the YouTube generation is a voting block worth courting.

3. I guess another option might be that this is payback for Dems backing out of the Fox News/CBC debate.

Thoughts?

Re: Do Younger GOP Voters Matter?

I don't think elections are decided by debates like this. I don't even think a lot of the youtube generation watches political debates to begin with. They'll back whatever candidate has the new iPhone.

I wish the title of the thread was: "Does the GOP even matter?"

Fingers crossed.