K Street Cafe

It seems like everyone in Washington is focused on one thing: the financial bailout. Over the course of the past week, conservatives and liberals have done battle to shape the message. Think tanks, non-profits and other interest groups have debated policy proposals in hopes of finding a solution — or preventing one.

Then yesterday came a 10-minute YouTube video called “What Caused Our Economic Crisis?” posted by TheMouthPeace. It quickly found its way onto right-leaning blogs, including the popular Hot Air and Power Line. Even the Drudge Report linked to it yesterday.

But it was the effort of one politician, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), who is using it to reinforce his policy message. Yesterday an e-mail arrived in my inbox from DeMint’s campaign:

Dear Friend –

Senator DeMint wanted to share this video on the federal bailout with you. Thanks for your support.

Click here to watch video.

Sincerely,
Team DeMint

DeMint currently has about 40 comments on his blog, but even more impressive are the 5,038 clicks YouTube has registered from his website, making DeMint the No. 1 site linking to the video.

This is reminiscent of another policy debate that prompted some clever YouTube videos last year. In that case, an anonymous user put together two short and funny videos mocking liberal plans to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Conservatives who were fighting against this — and successfully sustained President Bush’s veto — said the videos were a very helpful in explaining a complicated issue.

Much like this new video on the economic crisis.