I thought somebody might diary this - but now showing - on another network as they say - is an enormously entertaining and instructive clip starring Dennis Kucinich. See it here:
http://www.youtube.com/...
It is not long - but it is effective.
This is what good cross examination of a hostile witness looks like - and there are themes worth understanding - both on the issue and in the technique
Apparently a flack doctor showed up at health care hearings to scare up some canards about the Canadian system. "Rationing" "waiting line" "unavailability of care" - ahh yess - the tried and true focus group tested agit prop lines must have flowed like wine at an Argentinian banquet.
Then DK went to work. Note the short, direct questions. Simple facts - how many? percentage? give me a number - specifics, specifics, specifics.
The good doctor folded up like the son of casino mogul having to get bailed out by mommy and daddy.
My favorite part - the good doc whines like an Alaskan governor faced with the prospect of doing something other than some fancy pageant walking: "you won't let me answer"
Soooooo Kucinich waits just the right amount of time - and then when the doctor cedes the floor - hammers home the point.
I confess - it seems like it has been too long since we have seen advocacy with a pugilistic flair - I miss it -
and kudos to Kucinich