As I predicted yesterday CNN has turned this debate into an all-day examination of patting ones back. Every time I turn on the channel I hear “revolution”, “ground breaking” and similar platitudes (or buzzwords) brandied about.

So how will we know if this really is a “revolutionary” thing or not just another gimmick? I honestly have no idea which is why I imagine “out there” in the blogosphere and the mainstream media we will hear a mix of reviews. Here is how i will judge it, mostly like any other debate with a few extras.

1) Did I hear or see something I never have before? User submitted questions, specifically in-audience participation, is not really new. We’ve had “town-hall” style debates for quite some time now. Having them simply submitted by video online isn’t revolutionary. Regardless of McLuhan’s notion that the “medium is the message” I will be looking for content. Did this lead to an exploration of new things?

2) As part of that content, will this forum/format give us any new insight into the candidates, their policies, positions, personalities and other fun p words? As part of that did I walk away with anything from this debate and if so was it something I didn’t have after the other debates?

3) Did whatever content that came from the debates suddenly reach the masses in a way it wouldn’t have if user-submitted questions/participation hadn’t been involved?

Obviously the thought here is that bloggers/YouTubers who submitted questions will actually watch this debate. They will then write about it and share their thoughts and people will comment and share their thoughts. Are they simply continuing the conversation in the echo chamber or will something happen in this debate, with its format, that will lead non-tech people to go out and consume more information and join in on the conversation?

The idea of advertising/campaigning on television is action. Getting the viewer to hopefully move off the couch at some point and vote or buy or seek something out. For this to be revolutionary it cannot just make the producers of this content perform an action, it will have to reach the audience and encourage them to go out and do something in a way they normally wouldn’t have.

My Predictions?
As I said yesterday I don’t expect much. Most people are not watching these debates and news about them is still largely consumed through off-line media. Online the masses appeared to believe Obama & Paul won the previous debates, according to voting and chatter. Then the rest of the chatter simply affirmed that the favorite candidate of whatever blog or interest group or community had won.

The rest of the country went with what they heard on the television or read in the newspaper.

So for this to be “ground-breaking” or “revolutionary” it will actually have to achieve something. For it to be just another debate it just has to be what it probably will be, just another debate.

We will see.