The disastrous Q&A that Republicans had with President Obama may be a sign of important progress to come. Obama should invite the Tea Party next. Ludicrous policy ideas will not thrive in media light (for long). Realizing my nativity of the talking points society, I choose to assuage my concern by clinging to “The People’s” aversion to flagrant ignorance… In my previous post I talked about the utter absurdity to discuss tort reform as a solution to Health Care (to reiterate CBO projects 2% overall costs). Media does not report this story because smart people know it is moot.

My basic assumption is that current GOP opposition is largely unsubstantiated. Following that,  it is the criticism which is meant to basically obfuscate the Democrats agenda. However, if Obama challenges them to a televised Q&A, they will have to adapt their ideas away from radical or ideologically driven nonsense to make a concise point.

Sarah had a (very isolated) point, Obama is good at the lectern. He has spent years as senior lecturer in law, debating and teaching the worlds finest aspiring attorneys. Why not to play to those strengths?

If Obama seriously pressures lawmakers to televised debates, Q&A sessions, whatever; he will leave Republicans with little room to refuse. Republicans will look absolutely foolish for refusing the Presidents requests. The tactical move here is to get legislation passed on the merits by encouraging a televised debate.

Its a gamble, a political minefield. The Republicans are surely to prepare and get ready for the barrage. A misstep by Obama could result in a lasting malaise; but if the President is serious about cleaning up politics, this openness approach might just be an appropriate avenue to conduct the needed changes.

If President Obama wants to take control, he would be wise to use the strategic advantage of this major weakness. Not just attempt to get law makers on a Q&A, press them. Press them until their polls numbers start falling.

Update 1: The Washington Post has a story Titled “Republicans may opt out of Obama’s health-care summit” that just dropped today. I am not the least bit surprised as this was one of the only avenues they were left. Then again, I am not convinced that Republicans have any interest in a “bi-partisan solution” and that it is a facade because the true belief is that government has no role in health care.

MAJOR UPDATE (2) : Boehner wrote:  that “hard-working families won’t stand for having the future of their health care decided behind closed doors. These secret deliberations are a breeding ground for more of the kickbacks, shady deals and special-interest provisions that have become business as usual in Washington.”

Boehner had been a rather vocal supporter of C-SPAN’s request to televise the earlier negotiations, writing  to the network in January that “House Republicans strongly endorse your proposal and stand ready to work with you to make it a reality.”

Now it seems that upon being called to task for his demands Boehner pivots quickly and retracts,  “I think that’s fine, but you know, is this a political event or is this going to be a real conversation? I don’t know who’s going to be there. I don’t know how big the room’s going to be. I don’t know — what the set-up is going to be.”

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/boehner-how-dare-obama-televise-the-health-care-debate-after-i-demanded-he-televise-the-health-care.php

I don’t need to make some sarcastic comment chastising the duplicitous actions. Wait and see who shows up to Obama’s openness parade.