After watching the talking snowman in last night’s YouTube debate, one thing was evident: Boy, these questions are easy to understand.  Singing southerners, talking snowmen — is it possible to ask questions more in a way that all Americans can understand?

Actually, yes.  I maintain that YouTube and CNN didn’t go far enough.  They missed the final step — giving the questions the Ask Mr. Jeeves treatment.  In other words, running the questions by Mr. Jeeves — now Ask.com — to get them rephrased and thusly more, presumably, understandable.

So let’s take that last step right now.

Below are actual questions from last night’s debate, followed by the Ask.com version  (actually, Ask for Kids.  Heck, why not appeal to everyone?).

YouTube: Mrs. Clinton, how would you define the word “liberal?”
Ask: Genocide: How is it defined?

YouTube: Senator [Dodd], I have to ask, what’s with the white hair?
ASk: Where can I get basic info on the hair?

YouTube: What action do you commit to that will get these children back home to a safe Darfur and not letting it be yet another empty promise?
Ask: How can I be street smart?

YouTube:  Don’t you think if we pulled out now that would open it up for Iran and Syria, God knows who — Russia — how do we pull out now?
Ask: How can I learn to think like an artist?

YouTube: My question is for Mike Gravel. In one of the previous debates you said something along the lines of the entire deaths of Vietnam died in vain.
Ask: Where can I ask science questions of geologist?

YouTube: I was wondering if the candidates feel women should register for the draft when they turn 18.
Ask: Where can I find information on the notable woman Abigail Adams?

YouTube: Would you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?
Ask: Where can I hear of find the lyrics for the national anthem of North Korea?

YouTube:  Who was your favorite teacher and why?
Ask: What do teachers do?

No doubt we’d be better served to ask the presidential candidates questions after they’ve been reworked by Ask.com.  It might bring clarity to what that talking snowman really meant.

YouTube:  what will you do to ensure that my son will live a full and happy life?
AsK: What Do You Call Them?