I enjoyed the big 2008 Republican debate sponsored by CNN and YouTube that was on tonight. The candidates were asked a few questions on the same ol’ topics: abortion, immigration, Iraq, taxes, gun control, death penalty. A few questions were thrown in about Jesus and the bible as well, all things that added more fun.

It was uncanny hearing the Republicans answer the awkward questions of our YouTube generation. They ranged from funny (“If you were really drunk, would you hook up with Ann Coulter?” Uhm, no, I would rather die), irrelevant (“Do you think one day we’ll be able to send messages by our minds?” Man looks intently at pixelated camera and turns it off.), and adorable (“If you were a superhero, what would you be and what would you use your powers for?” Young Chinese boy grins at camera). Even a snowman (a sock with a man imitating a falsetto voice) showed up to the mix, exclaiming, “Global warming is the single most important subject for all snowmen in this country.”

Despite all the not-very-serious questions, I believe it was a good way to connect to our generation of AIM, YouTube, and Facebook/Myspace . As Al Gore proved in The Assault on Reason — His time, and now, to a certain extent, is the era of thirty-second ads. Televisions ads were popularized during his U.S. Senate election and utilizing them gained him a total 8.5% increase in the polls. Now YouTube is our generation, our significant other, our place of comfort, our love even — what better way to connect to us?

Anderson Cooper: In regards to the death penalty, what would Jesus do?
Mayor Giulani: Why, Jesus was too smart to run for public office.

YouTube-ee: Do you believe in this book? [holds up a Bible and shakes it at Camera]
Anderson Cooper: Mayor Giulani?
Governer Huckabee: Should I help you, Mayor?
(View Video)

I have to admit — Mayor Giulani is so adorable! And I can see why Eric is hopelessly devoted to John McCain.