If you didn’t catch the CNN-YouTube Democratic Debate last night you missed an extremely interesting historical experience. The debate featured each of the Democratic candidates answering video question submitted by YouTube users. The videos were aired on CNN as the candidates stood on stage and debated the issues.

The issues debated didn’t change: global warming, taxes, health care, the war in Iraq, gay marriage, etc. however, the faces asking the questions did! For once, with the help of YouTube, the questions came from real Americans rather than filtered media blather. A real face was stamped on the questions rather than having the same regurgitated issues being presented by a moderator. Anderson Cooper presented the questions to the candidates, but he simply reiterated the YouTube users’ questions.

By attaching real American faces and personalities to pointed questions I felt that the candidates felt obligated to give better answers rather than side stepping the issues. Don’t get me wrong, this is a political debate, so of course political answers were given. However, it seemed that the videos made the debate more personable so more personable political answers were given.

If you missed the debate, check YouTube for the videos. You can view some of the questions that were asked here. The CNN-YouTube Republican Debate will take place on September 17th.