A TikTok Presidential Debate?

The idea of a TikTok Presidential debate is taking hold in DC with those of us that raised and made possible the YouTube CNN debate.

In an era where social media has become the dominant force in American politics, it only makes sense to leverage these innovative platforms to facilitate a more dynamic, audience-centric exchange.

In the past I imagined a similar style of debate in the idea of a 'People's Court' in The New York Times and now the tech has caught up with my vision.

We're all a bit tired of the boring conversations where the moderators get talked over. We yearn for a raw, unfiltered dialogue between the candidates and the electorate on the issues that *actually* matter to us.

With TikTok, the audience wouldn't just be consuming, but meaningfully participating.

The real priorities of Americans, like the need to solve man-made disasters in our food and recovery deserts throughout the nation, would take the stage, instead of the endless conflict-driven media news cycle. No need to tour the border and call this the end of democracy as we know it, let's just have a table top conversation.

Indeed, the interactive nature of social media would empower the people to lean in and be active participants, rather than mere spectators.

Features like real-time polling allow the audience to instantly weigh in on the candidates' responses, providing crucial feedback and sentiment checks. Emojis aren't just for fun, but a universal visual language across all communities and cultures.

This community-driven approach would inject a level of authenticity and accountability that has long been lacking in traditional debate formats. And it would be a lot more fun.

During the President's State of the Union Address, The White House deployed a similar digital engagement strategy that I wrote about on DavidAll.com.

Now I know not everyone is crazy about TikTok and who owns what in this country; but in this moment, let us imagine a more engaged electorate and a democracy capable of withstanding anything that has ever been thrown at it.

I know there are valid concerns about maintaining order, substance, and journalistic integrity amidst the frenetic pace of social media. However, I believe these challenges can be effectively navigated through strategic partnerships and thoughtful moderation.

The time to hear directly from the candidates on the issues that *actually* matter to Americans is now. Let's tap in to tune in for increased civic engagement.