NYT: Edwards Participates in MTV-MySpace Forum (& video)

[Omaha Steve]

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/edwards-participates-in-mtv-myspace-forum/

By Julie Bosman

Senator John Edwards courted the 18-to-25-year-old vote this afternoon, the first presidential candidate to participate in a forum sponsored by MTV and MySpace.

The town hall-style event took place at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., and was streamed live on the Web, where users submitted questions ­- and feedback ­- via instant messenger and e-mail.

“Let the candidate know if you’re feeling spun or inspired by his answer

“Let the candidate know if you’re feeling spun or inspired by his answers,” said Gideon Yago, the MTV veejay, while introducing the denim-clad Mr. Edwards.

Speaking in front of a red shimmery background, Mr. Edwards gamely took questions on education, health care, the genocide in Darfur and stem-cell research. (It is perhaps a sign of MTV’s evolution that no one asked about his underwear preferences.)

Throughout the forum, he was told the results of online polls measuring his performance, and reminded of the results with enormous pie charts projected in the auditorium.

Mr. Edwards promised to end the war in Iraq, start a program that would
help fund college educations and treat global warming as an urgent crisis.

But he couldn’t resist at least one culturally relevant name-drop. When asked about the One Campaign, an effort championed by Bono to end poverty, he responded, “I have met with Bono myself, a number of times, personally, to discuss what you are advocating for.”

VIDEO at link.

[slick8790]

1. I think this is great.

Any word on whether any other candidates are doing this?