"YouTube is the hottest thing in American politics today."

"Just ask former Virginia Senator George Allen (emphasis on former). On the morning of August 15th, 2006 very few Americans had ever heard the quasi-word “macaca” before. By the end of the week, the word had come to encapsulate George Allen’s putative view of race relations in America, in an unflattering light, to be sure. All because Allen referred to one of his opponent’s staff members as “Macaca or whatever his name is,” and “Macaca” in turn uploaded the damning video onto YouTube. Allen’s campaign never recovered.

Presidential candidate John Edwards speaks at a rally of supporters, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Edwards has announced that he is running in the 2008 presidential election. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) “Whether Republicans are ready for it or not, the website which will have the biggest impact on a candidate’s political life is YouTube,” says David All, a Republican modern media strategist in Washington, DC. “Candidates throughout the country are no longer squaring off against their opponents’ media firm, they also face their opponents’ tech-savvy, modern volunteer operation which is armed with cost-effective camcorders, free video editing software, high-speed internet connections, and a gnarly laptop to make the magic happen.”

Read the whole thing. That's from Patrick Hynes, John McCain's internet guy.

Will some smart Filipino candidate be able to use Youtube too in their campaign? Cheaper than buying tv, radio, or print ads, and easy to pass around and spread the campaign message or any "gotcha" videos.

UPDATE: What I'd like to see on Youtube.

1) Ignacio Bunye's "I have 2 Discs" press conference. "Original and Spliced". Him mentioning Edgar Ruado.

2) Edcel Lagman, the Prosperos, Luis Villafuerte, Jaraula, the Defensors et al on TV trying to ram CON ASS down our throats.

3) Sen. Pangilinan and DOJ Sec. Raul Gonzalez "noting" away all the evidence during the canvassing of votes.

I'm sure may iba pang suggestion kayo. Comment lang kayo kung may maisip pa kayo.