Yahoo! is set to host the first online-only presidential debate for the 2008 electoral campaign.The search engine provider, along with the Huffington Post and Slate, will give the US public the opportunity to question candidates directly and participate in the debate in real-time as part of the online streaming event.
People will also be able to determine which of the presidential hopefuls is putting in the best performance and the debate is due to be presented by PBS's Charlie Rose.
Mr Rose commented: "We intend for these debates to be a groundbreaking mix of old and new traditions in politics.
"2008 will be a momentous year for the electoral process in America, thanks in large part to technology and politics connecting like never before."
Co-founder of the Huffington Post Arianna Huffington said that presidential campaigns are increasingly moving toward the internet, with candidates announcing online and campaign advertisements and fundraising increasingly taking place online.
"These debates represent a further merging of new media technology and politics and are a great opportunity to bring more people into the political process," she commented, adding that the new technology represents a means of engaging the generation of young voters.
There will be two online-only debates, one for the Democrats and one for the Republicans.
Last month CNN and YouTube collaborated to present a Democratic debate which was aired on national cable television.
