Edwards to air live webcast after debate

Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) will conduct a live video webcast immediately after the Democratic CNN-YouTube debate Monday, answering questions submitted to the campaign online and via text message.

Edwards spokesperson Colleen Murray told The Hill that the webcast was geared at boosting Edwards’ online presence as a candidate.

{mosads}The webcast will last 30 minutes and will be viewable on Edwards’ campaign website and MySpace page, in addition to three other sites. Viewers can submit questions to the Edwards campaign before and during the CNN-YouTube debate on Edwards’ website, Facebook, MySpace, via AOL Instant Messenger, via text message, and in video on YouTube.

 “Our campaign has a strong grassroots presence, and this is a new way to continue to build and expand that,” Murray said. “Our netroots support is strong and as a campaign we’re always going to be looking for ways to improve it.”

Edwards currently trails his fellow Democratic front-runners at the polls and online: Sens. Hillary Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.) lead Edwards in MySpace and Facebook supporters in addition to YouTube views.

While Edwards’ webcast will be streamed live, viewers will not be able to submit questions during that streaming.

Duke University professor and Chair of the American Political Science Association’s Information Technology and Politics Section Kenneth Rogerson says that “‘live’ is kind of in quotes — it’s not like being in a studio audience.”

“I think it’s unique more because of the timing of the debate than because of its format,” Rogerson says, adding that the webcast’s main function will be to clarify the content of the debate. “This will give him a chance to say more about some things he didn’t get to say more about.”

“The Edwards campaign seems to be trying to smartly use the technology,” Rogerson says, adding that, for presidential candidates, using technology “is not a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity.”