We should try and encourage the US to adopt a "Question Time" for the President

[Meldread]

I think we should encourage the Democrats to put forth legislation that would force the President to answer questions before the Congress. It would work similar to how it works in the UK where the Prime Minister has to answer questions by the House of Commons.

On Monday all members of the House who wish to ask the President a question place their name in a ballot box. On Tuesday the Speaker of the House announces the order in which the names are drawn. The question session lasts for one hour, and it is an open session - with cameras and the media watching.

On Wednesday the questioning begins in the order that the names were drawn, and the President must answer each question truthfully as if he were under oath. Lying at one of these sessions is grounds for Impeachment.

Outside of sheer entertainment value, this would force the hard questions to be asked of a President, force him to enter onto the public record, and force him to answer in a truthful manor. We may not be in Iraq today if we had something like this, and if nothing else it holds the President accountable for his actions. If he lies to the House (who Represent the American people) then that is grounds for Impeachment.

I doubt something like this would pass, but I believe it would benefit the country greatly.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

1. sounds like a grand idea . . .

. . . the Chimp with irritable bowel syndrome every Tuesday.

[Tyo]

2. Couldn't agree more

I would go further and advocate the adoption of a parliamentary system similar to that in Canada, but that'll never happen.

[Meldread]

6. Agreed.

But like you said - never going to happen.

[LibDemAlways]

3. It would be a nightmare for his handlers.

Not being able to totally control the environment would be disastrous for him. Imagine the person responsible for feeding the responses into his earpiece not knowing in advance what the questions would be and having to impart info to chimp extemporaneously. It would be like a kid's game of "telephone" only better.

There is no way the thugs in charge would ever allow the chimp to be so potentially thoroughly humiliated.

[Meldread]

5. The problem: The Republican's aren't in charge anymore.

...well their problem not ours. Our biggest problem would be getting Democrats to support it, they wouldn't support it for similar reasons, but I think it is something that should still be considered by Congress. I would love to hear (and see) Bush's response.

[karlrschneider]

4. I've thought for years that this would be a good thing.

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