Reality bites: Candidates sidelined by coronavirus try transforming into small-screen stars

But higher production values haven't necessarily meant a smooth transition from the trail."Here I am, used to being in a television studio or standing out before a couple thousand people talking — and here I am in my basement," Biden said during a recent digital campaign event, adding, "I'm trying to learn, too."Biden, like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has hosted virtual town halls, interviewed front-line health care workers and discussed legislation pending before Congress in his sessions, usually streamed on his campaign website and posted to YouTube.Before he ended his presidential bid, Sanders would often begin his streams with an opening monologue focused on an issue of the day before bringing in a wider panel of experts, lawmakers and others. The senator also launched a podcast titled "Markey on the Mic.""Well, we're in a competition for the same seat, so everything's going to be competitive," Markey campaign manager John Walsh said.Kennedy said the streams have provided "an added level of humanity and connection, because you're not having these carefully crafted, staged and produced town halls or conventions or TV spots.""You're getting a Facebook Live from my couch in my living room after breakfast from two kids where they had too much sugar," he said.Mia Fermindoza, video director for Sanders' campaign, said such candidate content may have a future beyond the coronavirus shutdowns."The expectations of what we see onscreen have changed," she said in an interview.