In an attempt to shake up the predictable and stale staple of American politics that is the State of the Union, the White House has invited three YouTube stars to interview President Obama following the address.
Following the annual presidential address Bethany Mota, GloZell and Hank Green will sit down with the president at the White House on Jan. 22.
In an attempt to tap into a younger audience, YouTube and the White House encouraged people to pitch questions using the hashtag #YouTubeAsksObama. The personalities will then select some of the proposed questions to ask the commander in chief two days after the State of the Union address takes place.
The State of the Union will also bebroadcasted live on YouTube on Jan. 20. While Obama has fielded questions following the SOTU since 2010, this is the first time YouTube stars will meet with him in person.
At least one of the stars has a case of the nerves ahead of the big event.
Hey so *nervous cough* I'm interviewing President Obama at the @Whitehouse next week. Any questions you want I should ask? #YouTubeAsksObama— Hank Green (@hankgreen) January 15, 2015
Creative question suggestions for the trio were already pouring in on Thursday.
@hankgreen @WhiteHouse #YouTubeAsksObama How would you survive the zombie apocalypse?— fancynancy (@nancyscofield98) January 15, 2015
However, not everyone was keen on the idea of YouTube taking the focus away from pressing national issues.
WH could be previewing tough national security messages for SOTU but...Youtube. No focus. No mission. No leadership. #SOTU2015— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) January 15, 2015
Obama will tape with 3 U-Tubers after SOTU. GloZell is one. Here taking a fruit loop bath http://t.co/O4HLyC7pFa— Andrew Coffey (@coffeygrinds) January 15, 2015
The online world will be a large focus on Obama's address, as the leader plans to announce new cyber security measures and improve access to the Internet. The White House has been rolling out proposals on some of his key proposals ahead of the State of the Union.
The president unveiled his plans Tuesday at the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, saying cyberthreats pose "an enormous challenge" in which the U.S. must be "upping our game." He said cybercriminals are doing as much -- or more -- damage than traditional criminals.
"As a nation, we are making progress. We are more prepared to deal with cyberattacks, but attackers are getting more sophisticated," Obama said. "All of us — government and industry — need to be doing better."
Some information in this report was provided by The Associated Press.