Candidates field questions from YouTube

"Democratic presidential candidates were pelted Monday night with scores of questions from the people who will decide which of them becomes the Democratic nominee... The debate -- a first-of-its-kind forum that had voters framing questions through the Internet video site, YouTube -- featured often anguished questions and equally passionate responses from the candidates, who for the first time spent two hours together contending with the frustrations and worries of ordinary voters...

Further, the Internet-age nature of the debate was appealing to young voters, a growing political force which has been active in online political activity but less likely than older voters to watch formal debates...

'The fact that the political conversation is shifting off the airwaves and online is a hugely empowering dynamic that ultimately helps young people,' said Adrian Talbott, a co-founder of Generation Engage. The group, which seeks to bring more young, non-college youth into the political process, hosted debate-watching parties last night in New York, Miami and San Jose."