I’m blogging from St. Petersburg, Fla., today in advance of tonight’s Republican debate, which is being hosted by the Republican Party of Florida, CNN and YouTube at the Progress Energy Center’s Mahaffey Theater. The debate’s unique format — the candidates will be asked questions submitted via YouTube — offers the GOP an opportunity to reach a younger audience.

After balking at the opportunity to participate in such a debate this summer, the Republican candidates gave into pressure from conservative bloggers, led by Patrick Ruffini and David All. Nearly 5,000 video questions were submitted to YouTube, and judging from the number asked at the Democratic debate in July, we can expect to see about 40 tonight.

YouTube encouraged bloggers to trek to St. Petersburg to watch it firsthand. A select number of us will take part in a lunch discussion about YouTube’s impact on politics, featuring a handful of video bloggers who submitted questions for tonight’s debate. Later in the day, Mary Katharine Ham of Townhall will join Patrick, David and me to offer commentary and analysis. Stay tuned for updates. The debate runs from 8-10 p.m. on CNN.

So what should you expect to see tonight? Nikki Schwab of U.S. News & World Report has a good article in which yours truly is quoted. I also talked about it on yesterday’s POTUS ‘08 show on XM Radio with my Heritage Foundation colleagues Brian Darling and Heath Hall. (Click here to listen.) In general, I suspect CNN has gone to great lengths to narrow down the questions in a way that’s fair and balanced. Even so, not everyone will be pleased by what’s asked and what’s omitted. That being said, I think it’s safe to say we’ll see a good combination of serious policy-based questions (like this one on net neutrality asked by MelissaJenna) and humorous skits meant to make us laugh.

Yesterday during his visit to the Heritage Foundation’s Conservative Bloggers’ Briefing, I cornered Media Research Center President Brent Bozell to get his thoughts. I’ve posted it on YouTube (where else?) for your viewing pleasure.