I was skeptical about the CNN-YouTube Democratic presidential debate. The buildup struck me as too cute, too self-promotional, too self-congratulatory. In short, too Anderson Cooper.

But I liked the debate. For one simple reason: The questions were great. And the credit goes to YouTube.

Most debates that feature “real people asking real questions” flop. Real people get real nervous. They’re not used to standing in front of Big Cameras and Big Shots and asking tough questions.

But the YouTube format enabled them to record the questions in private. So the questioners weren’t nervous or intimidated.

Their questions were direct, powerful and personal. The black minister who confronted John Edwards. The gay couple wanting to know why they’re couldn’t get married. The mother of the soldier in Iraq.

In traditional debates, the big-foot reporters and anchors who ask the questions obviously think the show is about them. And the candidates always think the show is about them.

But the real show is about the people whose lives will be affected by the next President.

Chalk up another giant leap forward for the Internet in politics. This is just why Al Gore invented it.

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