A man in a Viking helmet and false beard announces himself to would-be leaders of the free world with the words: “Greetings! I am Bjorn Svenson!” He hopes his 30-second video will be selected for tonight’s CNN-YouTube debate when Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and the rest of the eight-strong field of Democratic presidential candidates answer questions posted on the internet.

There is some nervousness within America’s political establishment that the process of picking the next President will be demeaned. It need not worry: organisers will block any excessive frivolity among YouTube users and, in any case, the majority of the 2,000-plus video questions are straight to the point of being earnest.

Even Bjorn’s silly hat has a serious point to make. “Just as Vikings were explorers and immigrants in search of a better life, so too are those who still come to America yearning to breathe free,” he says. “How do you plan to deal with illegal immigration?” So does the Groucho Marx puppet talking about problems facing first-time homebuyers, while “Tubey Toothpaste” is worried about traffic congestion. A stuffed toy, its arm in a sling, wants to ask about free healthcare.

Today’s debate in Charleston, South Carolina, is billed as the dawn of a fresh era in presidential politics as the old media (CNN) bravely reaches out to the new media (YouTube). Polls indicate that 15 per cent of Americans already regard the internet as their main source for political news in 2006 — double the 2002 figure.

However, the old media is not quite willing to give up its role as the filter of any conversation between voters and politicians, with CNN insisting on remaining the “gatekeeper” for which questions get asked. Critics say that this contradicts the “user-generated content” principle of internet democracy by which viewers of YouTube see the most popular videos on the site being given the most prominence.

David Bohrman, CNN executive producer, said that the wisdom-of-crowds approach “can cross the line”. “If this turned into a farce, it would be the last time new media gets a seat at the table.” Indeed, one question unlikely to be selected by CNN asks Mrs Clinton if her husband has “engaged in adulterous behaviour since he has left office”. Others ask candidates to get their shirts off for an “abs contest”, or whether California elected Arnold Schwarzenegger as its Governor because “a cyborg of his nature could stop a future nuclear war”.

CNN’s discomfort reflects that of US politicians desperate to harness the energy of the internet while recoiling from too close an embrace with its users. The CNN and YouTube debate points out that the issue attracting most questions is not Iraq but education — a symptom, perhaps of YouTube users often being students.

The YouTube questioners

— RedState Update asks John Edwards if he really thinks he is "cute" and better-looking than Barack Obama. The video culminates with a request for candidates to take off their shirts for an "ab count". (travisandjonathan)

— A George Bush cartoon figure asks if a message had been intercepted about the location of a radioactive dirty bomb, would candidates allow it to be "translated by a homosexual". This is a reference to servicemen, including some fluent in Arabic, who have been forced to quit the army because they are gay. (headzup)

— A Viking asks how candidates plan to deal with illegal immigration. (VikingWebcam)

— A Groucho Marx puppet is troubled by the lack of opportunities for homeownership in overpriced real estate markets. (blogguy)

— To prove the existence of intelligent life elsewhere, candidates are asked to allow the alien disclosure project to have open hearing in Congress. (DickGhostmoon)

— A snowman is concerned about his snowboy's future, and asks the candidates what they will do to address global warming. (kotasHQ)

— Tubey Toothpaste complains about LA traffic and asks for the candidates help in solving the congestion. (scottmar818)

— A serious young man wonders if Californians elected Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor because a cyborg will be needed to prevent nuclear war. (Winekone)

— A man performs a song railing against taxation before asking candidates if they will grant him a pardon for his parking ticket. (GoRemy)

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