From macaca to Obama Girl, we already know that YouTube is big in the campaign space. It has expanded its role with campaign debates and organized campaign videos at You Choose '08. Last year Chad Hurley, YouTube CEO and co-founder, said in testimony before a House subcommittee, "YouTube provides another way to promote the values of freedom and liberty..."

Now YouTube is expanding its role to provide policymaking infrastructure as well. Last month, the Washington Post reported that YouTube was the only respondent to a House request for a "commercial-free zone" where lawmakers can post videos without violating Franking Commission rules. The Post said "House and Senate members can use in-house video technology, but it's slow and cumbersome, and the more lawmakers use the Capitol's computer servers, the worse it gets." According to the article, the ad-free space should be up by now, but the YouTube logo is still liberally (sic) displayed on house.gov sites.

Across the pond, YouTube has successfully inserted itself into the policy process by providing 10 Downing Street a platform for "Ask the PM" (tip of the hat to CitizenTube). Prime Minister Gordon Brown asks, on video of course, for questions from the public about globalization, health, climate change, and more. Questions are being accepted through 6/21 though the site claims this will be a regular event. Voting on questions starts on 5/26. Sorry, only UK residents may participate.

Ultimately, video is at its most powerful when it tells a compelling story. According to the Washington Post, video of a blocked latrine at Fort Bragg has led to a Presidential toilet inspection and Army inspections of more than 180 other installations. Go YouTube!

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