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Do you remember "back in the day" when cavemen used to watch presidential debates on "television" boxes?
Today, thanks to a partnership between MySpace and the Commission on Presidential Debates, television is officially the "old school" debate viewing platform.
When Obama and McCain finally take to the stage for their debates, you're gonna want to log on to the Internets. (Just a little throw-back to "2004 town hall debate" humor.)
MySpace and the CPD today announced the launch of their toolset for MyDebates.org, a new website that allows viewers to get more involved than ever before in the debates, and to share their views with the rest of the country instantly. The site includes a personalized issue scorecard, polling, reportable national statistics, live web streaming and much more.
So, go ahead, open up a new tab (or a new window, if you really haven't upgraded your browser since Clinton was in office) and plug "MyDebates.org" into the address bar. You can use your existing MySpace account to log in, or you can experience the new site as a guest.
Getting to know you
Once you're logged in, you'll be prompted to take an "Issues Quiz" that will assess your stance on 14 issues, including the economy, national security, the environment, same-sex marriage, education and healthcare. The site will tell you which candidate your views align with as you go.
Once you've finished the quiz, you can click around on a bunch of fancy charts and maps to compare your views to that of users in other states around the country. You can also embed your issues summary onto your MySpace profile, blog, website, or any other embed-friendly web space.
Watch and learn
Come September 26, the fun really begins with the first of the general election debates, a series that includes three separate presidential debates and one debate featuring the candidates running for vice president. You can watch the debate on television with your grandmother, or you can log on to MyDebates.org to check it out via live web stream.
"We're thrilled to unveil the exciting toolset available now on MyDebates.org – users will be able to select the issues that matter most to them and see how they match up with the candidates as well as with other users across the country," said Lee Brenner, Director of IMPACT and Executive Producer of Political Programming at MySpace. "MyDebates.org will enable Americans to make the most of information presented during the debates, and personalize their experience and engage with the candidates and other voters in a groundbreaking manner."
"The CPD believes that the Internet can be used to personalize the debates in a way that allows for in-depth examination by individual citizens and joint discussion with others," said Janet Brown, Executive Director of the Commission on Presidential Debates. "Our partnership with MySpace is an important step forward into integrating new media into the debate series."
Debates with pictures
This might be the coolest part...
MyDebates.org will feature high-quality video streaming and as the candidates are speaking, "issue icons" will light up as candidates discuss specific main topics.
That's right, cute little icons to tell you what's going on, in case your little sister was screaming, or your roommate was yelling about there being no more toilet paper in the bathroom. So when Biden and Palin go at it on foreign policy...you'll know because of the little airplanes that pop up on the screen. (Man, I can't wait for that VP debate.)
You will also get to take part in polls periodically throughout the debates with short questions, and then you can check out the results afterwards.
Tell your TiVo to take the night off
Just in case you for some reason have other plans the nights of the debates, don't worry...MyDebates has your back. The next time you make it back to your computer, you can check back at MyDebates.org for videos of the debates in their entirety, available for viewing at any time. Videos will be "bookmarked" to allow you to easily jump to your important issues, and will be searchable and tagged by event, candidate, issues, and questions asked of the candidates. You will also be able to "share," "comment" and "rate" links in the Video Clip Player.
"The unique toolset we created for MyDebates.org is an exciting step for us in continuing to provide a platform that promotes social and political engagement at every level," Tom Andrus, SVP of Product at MySpace. "We're thrilled to be part of shaping how Americans engage in the Democratic process."
You've got questions...Brokaw will get answers
Have a question for the candidates? MyDebates.org includes a feature which will allow users to submit a question that may be presented to the candidates during the second presidential debate, a Town Hall format, moderated by Tom Brokaw on Tuesday, October 7. The first presidential debate will take place on Friday, September 26 and will be followed by a vice presidential debate on Thursday, October 2. The third, and final, presidential debate will take place on Wednesday, October 15.
So, what do you think?
Which debate are you most looking forward to?
How do you think Obama, Biden, McCain and Palin are going to fare?
Also, once you check out MyDebates.org, be sure to come back and share your experience here at discuss.newsvine.com.
