Social media have big debate plans

The stars of next month’s political debates will be the quartet of candidates taking the stage. But just about every social media outlet is planning to play newfangled supporting roles.

An unlikely triumvirate — Yahoo, AOL and YouTube — is working with the Commission on Presidential Debates to launch “The Voice Of,” depots on each service for people to watch the debates live and exchange views. "The 2012 debates can be the foundation for a season of conversation, and the Internet initiative will provide unprecedented access for citizens to participate in that conversation," said CPD Co-Chairmen Michael McCurry and Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. A counter will appear indicating the combined number of viewers. For example, if 100,000 people are watching, the headline on the sites will read “The Voice Of 100,000.”