Writing in the Kansas City Star, Mary Sanchez welcomed the relief from ’spin’ provided by the You Tube debate experience: “The candidates heard genuine angst and doubt and worry and anger in the video clips. Then they had to reply.

Among my favorites was the man who stood with folded U.S. flags displayed behind him and explained that the flags had decorated the coffins of his grandfather, his father and his eldest son. He told the candidates that he didn’t want his other sons to earn such a flag in combat. He asked a question about exiting Iraq, and also about how many family members each candidate had serving.

A few of the video questioners were present at the event. They were able to pop up in the audience and stand face-to-face with the candidate who had just evaded their question. That took the event to a new level. It was no longer a candidate debate, but a conversation between a political candidate and a voter, something we have been shifting away from for far too long.”

Fresh Direct