YouTube brings life, weirdness to Spanish poll

If it weren't for YouTube, a man wearing a little black dress and a pearl necklace would be unlikely to get a question in for the leader of the Spanish opposition.

Hundreds of Spaniards have lodged YouTube questions for the two main candidates in a parliamentary election on March 9, addressing issues ranging from pensions and workers' rights to gay marriage and the environment.

The format has already been rehearsed in the United States, where a YouTube debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton was praised for its spontaneity.