CNN/YouRube Debates

I will confess up front that I did not watch the last CNN/YouTube debates. And I probably won’t watch the next set, even if they happen. Politics just doesn’t interest me that much.

But I love a good con, and this one stokes personal memories for me.

In 1980 my high school football team (I played OL) was invited to participate in audience for the Coach John McKay show (McKay was then coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The McKay show was filmed in front of high schools kids, reportedly to help keep Coach McKay’s famous temper in check. There was an audience participation segment where the kids could ask Coach McKay question. Each kid had to fill out a card with his question on it ahead of time, and rest assured that only the questions that the producers wanted asked got selected.

It was a great con. The McKay Show got to appear as embracing the public and giving them a voice while retaining absolute control over the content.

This is essentially the CNN/YouTube debate formula, only updated with better technology. CNN had thousands of entries to choose from and got to pick and choose the ones they wanted. Like the McKay Show, you can rest assured that only the questions CNN wanted asked got asked.

And yet this is hyped as somehow being revolutionary. It is billed as giving the public a voice in presidential politics. Rubbish, this is an old con. The only thing that amazes me is how many smart people are being taking in by it.

By the way, John McKay was known for his rapier wit as well as his fierce temper. Some of his best quotes are:

"Well, we've determined that we can't win at home and we can't win on the road. What we need is a neutral site."

"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."

"I'm in favor of it." (when asked about the execution of his team)

There is some doubt as to authenticity of the last quote, but it’s too funny not to repeat.


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tags: BMC |  BMC Software |  CNN |  Identity |  Identity Management |  YouTube