After Obama went Full Bore in Baltimore, the Republicans are, to a (wo)man mumbling this is the worst thing they ever did and swearing that it will never happen again. They know they were pwned and they know they brought pablum to a chili festival.
The media seems to be all abuzz about a reprise. Let's do it again! Will the Republicans go for it?
WHO CARES???!!! Obama can force their hand.
Here's the plan (listening David Plouffe??). Tomorrow the White House issues the following statement:
The American People sent us to Washington to solve the many problems that beset this great nation. However the country seems mired in partisan grid-lock. Solutions are not coming out of Washington. Americans are tired of politicians talking past each other - they want us to start talking to each other to solve the problems that face America.
I have said that I will begin having monthly meetings with Democratic and Republican leadership. However, I do not believe that is enough. We don't need more closed door meetings. Americans need to see and hear their elected leaders talking to one another, in a respectful and intelligent manner. They need to start seeing ideas exchanged and examined. They need to see Democracy in action.
So here's what I propose. Once a month I will host a Monthly Bipartisan Transparency Discussion.. This discussion will not be behind closed doors. In fact, it will be televised on CSPAN. It will be open to all members of the House and Senate, and both parties are encouraged to attend. I will take questions and I will give answers. But I will also listen. All ideas are welcome, and I stand ready to change my mind on issues. All that I ask is that those who come to question do so in the same spirit.
I urge my colleagues to attend. Let's start a new tradition of open, respectful, honest debate of the issues. It's critical to the survival of our great nation.
The Republicans would be deer in the headlights. It his all the right buttons. Transparency. Bipartisan. Solve problems. Discussion rather than rancor. They will have to show up and face Obama again. And again.
It will change very few Republican minds. But Independents....they'll eat it up.