President Obama said Sunday that he will convene a half-day, bipartisan health care summit at the White House on Feb. 25 to be broadcast on television, so Americans can see Democrats and Republicans try to break the deadlock on health care legislation.
Would Democrats benefit from another televised session between President Obama and Hill Republicans?
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"Theatre is nice, but Americans will be more motivated to vote for Democrats who pass bills that make their lives better, rather than simply highlighting the GOP's Party of Never 2010 electoral strategy. There's only so long you can play the victim card when you are in the majority."
I hope I am wrong. But all I see is yet another opportunity for Republicans to kick the health care reform can down the road and make the President look weak.
We have the votes in place to help Americans right now. All that's lacking is discipline and leadership. How many families have faced financial ruin, sickness, and death from the murder-by-spreadsheet system since Max Baucus accidentally on-purpose went into the weeds on this months and months ago?
President Obama needs to take stock quickly. Read the Luce piece. Be honest about what is happening. Read Plouffe's smart book again. Send Rahm Emanuel back to the House in a senior role. Make Valerie Jarrett an important Ambassador. Keep Axelrod -- but balance him with someone like Plouffe, and get back to putting good policy before short term politics.
