Saguaro
11-28-2007, 08:29 PM
(CNN) -- As soon as the first question hit the screen, it was clear there would be little warming up for the GOP presidential candidates.
The question, directed at former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, addressed one of the most divisive issues in the Republican race -- immigration.
The question asked if Giuliani would "aid and abet" the flight of illegal aliens into this country, and the response instigated a back-and-forth between Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Romney attacked Giuliani's record as mayor of promoting illegal immigration, and Giuliani shot back, accusing Romney of having a "sanctuary mansion" at his own home by employing illegal aliens.
The Republican presidential hopefuls are squaring off in a challenge unlike anything they've faced as they step onto the stage for their party's first CNN/YouTube debate in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist introduced the eight candidates as they took the stage.
The candidates are fielding video questions submitted by the public via the YouTube Web site, just as Democratic White House candidates did in July.
The debate marks the first time the GOP candidates have faced off on the same stage in over a month.
CNN's political team viewed nearly 5,000 videos for the GOP debate -- about 2,000 more than they saw for the Democrats' debate.
The issues on the minds of the YouTube voters in this debate are vastly different from what came in for the Democrats, said Sam Feist, CNN's political director.
The topics that came up most often for the GOP debate included immigration, conservative values, economic issues and taxes, according to David Bohrman, Washington bureau chief and senior vice president for CNN. Watch what to expect in Wednesday night's debate »
About 40 questions will be asked by the end of the debate. Viewers can expect to see divisive questions, controversial questions, and questions that will set the candidates apart.
"This debate is to let Republican voters pick from among their eight candidates," Bohrman said. "We are trying to focus mostly on questions where there are differences among these candidates."
In recent weeks, the tough talk between Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has intensified. The campaigns of former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee have continued pushing their way into the picture.
"The debate Wednesday night will be a three-ring circus. In the center ring, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney continue their smackdown," said CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider.
"In the second ring, Mike Huckabee tries to duck as his competitors throw brickbats at him, trying to expose his record in Arkansas as un-conservative.
"In ring three: Fred Thompson and [Arizona Sen.] John McCain try to grab the spotlight with some daring moves on the trapeze. There is also a sideshow: [Texas Rep.] Ron Paul. Step right up, folks," said Schneider.
The format of this debate is new to the candidates, and the White House hopefuls and their campaigns have no idea exactly what to expect.
"There is some sense of the unknown, and so they're going to be a little bit out of their normal comfort zone, which is a good thing," Bohrman said.
The user-generated format marks a major step toward involving people in the process of selecting a nominee. It's also changed the way people view presidential debates, Bohrman said.
Questions asked during the Democratic CNN/YouTube debate continue to resonate on the campaign trail, Feist said.
Producers wonder if any stars will be born during this week's debate, like when Billiam the Snowman made a guest appearance during the Democratic debate. Will Jackie Broyles and Dunlap be back with the Red State update?
"There are plenty of animated figures out there, there are certainly some funny questions, but more importantly, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of really, really good, solid questions from real people on real issues," Feist said.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/28/debate.main/index.html
The question, directed at former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, addressed one of the most divisive issues in the Republican race -- immigration.
The question asked if Giuliani would "aid and abet" the flight of illegal aliens into this country, and the response instigated a back-and-forth between Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Romney attacked Giuliani's record as mayor of promoting illegal immigration, and Giuliani shot back, accusing Romney of having a "sanctuary mansion" at his own home by employing illegal aliens.
The Republican presidential hopefuls are squaring off in a challenge unlike anything they've faced as they step onto the stage for their party's first CNN/YouTube debate in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist introduced the eight candidates as they took the stage.
The candidates are fielding video questions submitted by the public via the YouTube Web site, just as Democratic White House candidates did in July.
The debate marks the first time the GOP candidates have faced off on the same stage in over a month.
CNN's political team viewed nearly 5,000 videos for the GOP debate -- about 2,000 more than they saw for the Democrats' debate.
The issues on the minds of the YouTube voters in this debate are vastly different from what came in for the Democrats, said Sam Feist, CNN's political director.
The topics that came up most often for the GOP debate included immigration, conservative values, economic issues and taxes, according to David Bohrman, Washington bureau chief and senior vice president for CNN. Watch what to expect in Wednesday night's debate »
About 40 questions will be asked by the end of the debate. Viewers can expect to see divisive questions, controversial questions, and questions that will set the candidates apart.
"This debate is to let Republican voters pick from among their eight candidates," Bohrman said. "We are trying to focus mostly on questions where there are differences among these candidates."
In recent weeks, the tough talk between Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has intensified. The campaigns of former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee have continued pushing their way into the picture.
"The debate Wednesday night will be a three-ring circus. In the center ring, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney continue their smackdown," said CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider.
"In the second ring, Mike Huckabee tries to duck as his competitors throw brickbats at him, trying to expose his record in Arkansas as un-conservative.
"In ring three: Fred Thompson and [Arizona Sen.] John McCain try to grab the spotlight with some daring moves on the trapeze. There is also a sideshow: [Texas Rep.] Ron Paul. Step right up, folks," said Schneider.
The format of this debate is new to the candidates, and the White House hopefuls and their campaigns have no idea exactly what to expect.
"There is some sense of the unknown, and so they're going to be a little bit out of their normal comfort zone, which is a good thing," Bohrman said.
The user-generated format marks a major step toward involving people in the process of selecting a nominee. It's also changed the way people view presidential debates, Bohrman said.
Questions asked during the Democratic CNN/YouTube debate continue to resonate on the campaign trail, Feist said.
Producers wonder if any stars will be born during this week's debate, like when Billiam the Snowman made a guest appearance during the Democratic debate. Will Jackie Broyles and Dunlap be back with the Red State update?
"There are plenty of animated figures out there, there are certainly some funny questions, but more importantly, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of really, really good, solid questions from real people on real issues," Feist said.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/28/debate.main/index.html