Download Hmmcast #32 (mp4)

Following a trackback on a post here earlier today I happened upon Routine Order pondering if Robert Scoble is the right choice for covering John Edward’s 2008 Presidential campaign (emphasis mine):

So why not hire someone who can do both things, or can at least advise on the technology behind it all? Scoble is old, let’s face it - he’s got family. Passion is what pulls readers. Give me a twenty-something with fire in his guts for what he’s bloggin about, anytime.

Since when is having “fire in his guts” limited to twenty-somethings? And if merely having family makes one “too old” than I was too old 17 years ago. Scoble is only a few years older than me, so if he’s too old for following Edward’s campaign I’m probably too old to start a daily vlog. There’s this WWII vet that was in his 90s who became sort of a cult celeb on YouTube, so I seriously doubt either Scoble or I need to turn in our vlogging license.

In fairness, the mysterious Routine Order blogger wasn’t asking the same question I’m asking in this post. The idea that a geek like Scoble might not be the best choice for Edwards bid to be the next President in 2008 was his take and Scoble’s age is one strike against him. Scoble has earned his video street cred with the Channel 9 stuff and if not him then who else?

If Edwards had invited me I would have been more interested in stuff they likely aren’t letting anybody cover. I want to know what Edwards is like out of all the lights, away from the cameras and his handlers. Somebody let Edwards loose and see if he’s got the Dean scream. I’ve seen his polished act already in the video from Gnomedex and he knows how to schmooze the crowd, but most politicians have that game down. Let’s see some behind the scenes Edwards action. Somebody. Anybody.

I doubt Scoble or any of the other video bloggers, podcasters, etc are going to get much of that kind of content. That’s what the American people need to know. We need to know if this guy has a penchant for interns in blue dresses, likes to bet a little too much on the ponies, does drugs recreationally, like pron, and so on. If we get all this stuff on the table long before any elections, out in the open, we can then move to the important issues and not waste time tripping over personal choices and morality debates.

Hmmcast #32
I’m thinking about publishing the new Hmmcast episode every weekday here at 4:20pm PST / 7:20pm EST, just so folks know when to expect a new installment each day. Yes, I realize 420 has drug references, but it’s an easy time for people to remember. I would choose something like 6:66 AM or PM but neither of those are valid. If you have a better time suggestion for the daily show, please let me know below. For those who missed yesterday’s post, I wrote that my goal is to create at least one new video blog or podcast every weekday in 2007, save for holidays and vacation. Will I make it? How many of these will you catch? Two are now in the bag.

Personally I think I’ll be too old for video when my heart stops ticking, but as always am interested in your feedback as to whether age really matters in a video blog? Age matters for Dick Clark. Anybody see that New Year’s Meltdown? I heard audio this morning. Painful. Dick had his run, but that’s one case — where he can’t even do the countdown right — to call it a day.

• Two week newbie thoughts on video blogging
• Tux spotted on Jack in the Box monitor
• Two valuable lessons I’ve learned from videoblogging
• If only PodTech would get ScobleShow a video editor
• Who’s not at CES 2007?
• 100th Hmmcast a pain in the grass