Two more Republicans join YouTube debate

WASHINGTON , Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The number of Republican presidential hopefuls willing to debate on live TV and the YouTube Internet site has doubled from two to four.

Following the initial debate featuring Democrats last month, willingness to participate in the format among Republicans was thin, the Washington Post reported.

A Sept. 17 date for Republicans to answer videotaped Internet questions from voters on live television was originally set, but unidentified party sources told the Post it will now likely be in November or December.

Initially, only two of the 10 GOP presidential hopefuls agreed to participate -- Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, but former Govs. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin have also reportedly agree to appear.

Two weeks ago, several conservative bloggers launched an effort called "Save the Debate" calling for Republican contenders to better the Democrats' performance last month in an Internet statement.

"Attend the YouTube debate, and you may get a tough question or two," the statement said. "Don't attend, and millions of Americans will wonder if you were too afraid to answer questions from the Internet, just as Democrats were afraid to go on Fox News."