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The Snowman Question

I was stunned Monday night when CNN let through its debate filter a question about global warming that a "snowman" had posted to YouTube for the Democratic presidential candidates gathered in Charleston, S.C.

The video was mildly amusing, and YouTube is the perfect forum for such silliness. But I hated that CNN aired the question for a few reasons.

First of all, it put to the lie CNN's contention that the network had to filter the content (rather than let Internet users pick their favorites) in order to avoid online videos that featured questions about cyborgs or people in costumes. Did CNN really see a distinction between someone asking a question in a chicken suit and putting a talking snowman in front of the camera? The average uninformed voter could have chosen a more informative question.

Second, using the snowman video to tackle global warming made a mockery of a hot-button policy issue. Debate moderator Anderson Cooper tried to explain that problem away by saying, "It's a funny video; it's a serious question." But the silliness overwhelmed the substance.

Only one candidate, long shot of long shots Dennis Kucinich, was given a chance to respond to the snowman. Moments later, Sen. Hillary Clinton interjected, "Anderson, you know, we haven't really seriously addressed this incredibly important issue of global warming and energy efficiency." While Clinton and the other two leading candidates, John Edwards and Barack Obama, discussed alternative energies in a follow-up question, the snowman was an unnecessary distraction.

Third, and most important, the snowman question undermined the seriousness of the occasion. It was a presidential debate, for cryin' out loud, and CNN's decision to give airtime to a stack of frozen water lowered it to the level of an Internet chat room. Now "Billiam the Snowman" has a Facebook group to explore his own presidential run.

It's all a big joke -- and it was from the start. It was more about expanding 18 seconds of obscurity on YouTube into 15 minutes of fame in the national spotlight than finding presidential solutions to global warming. The cavemen of Geico commercial fame will get their own television show this fall, and I wouldn't be surprised if Billiam the Snowman and his cold-weather friends got a call from Hollywood, either.

Billiam's time in the spotlight on Monday reminded of the infamous "boxers or briefs" question answered by another Clinton, the one known by the honorific "president" at the time. I guess all of us should be thankful that the snowman didn't ask the candidates whether they wear boxers or briefs when they get really hot from all the global warming.

As it turns out, I'm not the only one who thought CNN should have rejected the snowman question. It warranted this snarky observation from Ana Marie Cox of the Time magazine blog Swampland as she covered the debate:

8:26 PM: In the comments someone said the ROCK VIDEO was the moment when this debate jumped the shark. The hillbilly [question] was the moment the shark jumped itself. The snowman question was the moment that the crowd rose up and jumped up and down on the shark.

Now it looks like the snowman question may be a factor in at least one Republican second-guessing the planned CNN/YouTube encore in St. Petersburg, Fla., come Sept. 17. Mitt Romney told the New Hampshire Union Leader, "I think the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman."

He has not yet accepted an invitation to the GOP debate, and other Republicans appear wary, too.

Though utterly predictable for a party with a history of ignoring, fearing and attacking the Internet, It would be a shame if Republicans abandoned their own CNN/YouTube debate. As much as I hated the snowman question, neither it nor the other low points of Monday's debate (think "This is my baby") should become the excuse for even one candidate to turn against the most innovative and voter-friendly format to come along in 15 years.

But if that happens, CNN will bear much of the blame because it took upon itself the weighty responsibility of picking the debate questions -- and then embraced a cheap entertainment ploy more suited to MTV than "the world's news leader."

Posted by Danny | 07:03 AM

Comments

Looks like Giuliani and Romney are too scared to participate in YouTube debate.

Ron Paul is so dominant on YouTube that Giuliani and Romney are scared of the home court advantage Ron Paul would have. In short, they are cowards. Glad to see McCain has some courage.

Of the Republican candidates, Ron Paul is 1st on YouTube, Meetup, MySpace, Technorati, Alexa, Google, etc. The old media is just too slow to realize what is happening.

Ron Paul places 1st or 2nd in every straw poll, debate, and active participation survey.

Dr. Ron Paul has the most contributions from U.S. military personnel & veterans above all other candidates. So support the troops and vote Ron Paul!

Dr. Ron Paul is the man of integrity and courage that America needs at this time.

We are making history – Vote Ron Paul!

Visit YouTube and search Ron Paul to learn more…

Bill O. Rights | 07.28.07 06:45 PM

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