C-SPAN likes idea of regular Obama-lawmaker exchanges

[jefferson_dem]

C-SPAN likes idea of regular Obama-lawmaker exchanges
By Michael O'Brien - 01/29/10 03:39 PM ET

C-SPAN said it likes the idea of regular, televised exchanges between lawmakers and the president like the one President Barack Obama had with House Republicans on Friday.

The nonpartisan political network signaled it might encourage Obama to have more, regular televised question-and-answer sessions with members of Congress.

"We’ve televised British Question time for 15 years, so we like the idea of regular interface between the president and Congress," the network said in a statement. "Here, of course, there are constitutional questions involved."

"So after watching today’s session we’re all giving some thought about what we could suggest to whom," the network added.

Republicans said they were generally satisfied with the televised Q&A with the president, which included some testy exchanges. For his part, Obama joked that he was having a good time fielding the questions with their conservative bent.

<SNIP>

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/78815-c-span-likes-idea-of-regular-obama-lawmaker-exchanges

[frazzled]

1. Oh, you can bet the Republicans will never fall for that again

It was a disaster for them.

I doubt the Democrats even want to go there.

[jefferson_dem]

5. May be posturing and spin but Pence just said it was "productive" and welcomes more.

The little masochistic bastard. GOP--> :spank: <--POTUS

Republicans, he adds, “gave as good as they got” in the question period. “We confronted the president with some very direct questions and statements — focused on policy, not politics. He responded, occasionally, with similar directness. It was productive.” So is Pence open to more House of Commons-like debates? “We welcome them,” he says.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OWRlMzg0MGJmODBlYjI4YWI0YmUwZTM0ODg3OTg0YTQ=

[Cha]

31. If history repeats..then they are spinning

a loss like they always do..we'll see won't we?

[lib_wit_it]

32. "Occasionally"? F**k you, Pence.

[babylonsister]

40. He lies. Pence cut off the last question to Obama. He knew the rethugs

were in 'way' over their heads!

[jgraz]

10. If they back out now, they look like cowards.

For once, I think Obama actually managed to checkmate them. Good job, Mr. President.

[gkhouston]

26. He backed them onto ground of his own choosing, today. And they're too

stiff-necked and dense to admit they're whupped so they'll get maneuvered into a situation where he can do it to them again. Can't wait to see him school some Dems, too.

[jgraz]

33. The problem with schooling some Dems

The ones Obama will try to school are the Progressives. And they tend to be right a LOT more often than the Repukes. I think the schooling would go both ways in that case -- assuming that Rahm even allows it to take place.

[gkhouston]

43. I don't see that as a problem, myself.

First, being right a lot more often than Republicans is a laughably low standard. Second, I don't see the object of "President's Question Time" as being an opportunity for the President to buff his image by looking well-informed. Certainly had that effect yesterday though, now, didn't it? :rofl:

I'd actually like to see the issues of the day honestly, openly, and thoroughly discussed. It's not about which side "wins". If there's a genuine discussion, I think the country as a whole wins and the President should be willing to field questions from his own party as well as the opposition. As far as Rahm goes, he works for Obama, not the other way around, and he's not the keeper of his conscience. Maybe if we saw more of the President interacting with Democrats in a less structured fashion, people would remember that.

[MadMaddie]

39. That's exactly right! They are fools if they say no

not going to look so good for them.

[monmouth]

2. Were the TV cameras Plouffe's idea I wonder? If so, welcome back Mr. P....n/t

[quiet.american]

7. Good catch. If cameras weren't there, the GOP would have just said it was a 'spirited exchange' -

-- and then, no doubt, would have spun a story that portrayed them as heroes for handing their slimbook of well-tread 'ideas'to Obama.

[eleny]

3. They'll have to drag the Republicans kicking and screaming all the way

I doubt they'll go for it even though I'm ready for Round 2 of - "Wipe The Floor In Baltimore".

[lib_wit_it]

36. Haha! I like that name!

[Gregorian]

4. I like this. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. Yeah!

Listen to the truth, or let us frame the argument without you. Haha.

[quiet.american]

6. Prime Minister's Questions is exactly what came to mind while watching this.

Used to never miss an episode -- before Tony Blair jumped the shark, that is.

[jgraz]

8. That would be great. Let him do the next one with the Progressive Caucus.

I won't be holding my breath.

[JoePhilly]

9. EXACTLY what I was thinking.

The GOP may have just helped to open PANDORA'S box today.

If Obama starts to do this with "Congressional leaders", watch out.

The GOP will have nowhere to hide ... nor will various constituencies on the left.

Obama's power would increase DRAMATICALLY.

Which I think would be a great thing.

[jgraz]

11. Rahm would never allow it.

But I'm calling Barbara Lee today to suggest it.

[jefferson_dem]

14. Cool.

The more open deliberation about public policy, the better.

[jgraz]

16. Hey, we agree on something.

Two things that were great about this (and I haven't had a chance to watch it yet): 1) Obama seems to have rocked the Repukes back on their heels and 2) People will be demanding more of this. Obama may have started a tradition that will be hard to stop.

[jefferson_dem]

24. Indeed!

Cheers, jgraz. :toast:

[gkhouston]

27. OMG, people discussing policy? Is that allowed in PUBLIC? I'm calling the cops!! n/t

[jgraz]

37. Don't worry. We'll be done soon.

The poo-flinging will resume shortly.

[DrToast]

13. He'd have a harder time with them. (nt)

[JoePhilly]

15. Na ... they can be just as unreasonable.

We on the left claim to be "thoughtful" on matters of policy ... but God forbid that Obama used the words "Spending Freeze", we immediately FLIP OUT. We don't wait to hear details ... we just scream like we're party of an alternative universe Tea Party.

Doing this would force everyone back closer to the ground.

[jgraz]

18. Here's the difference

The Repukes are wrong on EVERYTHING. The Progressives are right on many things. Obama will have a tougher time with them.

[JoePhilly]

21. Right on SOME things ... but more important ...

The farther left you go ... the less SUPPORT exists.

In OUR base, there are those who want everything at once. NOW.

They struggle with the reality that you have STRATEGIC goals, and TACTICAL goals.

I know the Chess analogy is way over used ... but I want to use it because for YEARS I've used it to explain business strategy and tactics (so nothing to do with the "Obama is playing Chess" talking point).

A kid playing chess knows that you have to "get the other king" ... they know that the QUEEN is their most powerful piece, and so they very quickly push her to the center of the board.

We can contrast that kid with a more experienced player. They know that the game can be divided into "The Opening", "The Middle Game" and "The END Game".

So ... when I am playing ... if I see a chance to attack the other king in the opening, that is a tempting move. I can scream CHECK!! But in most cases, that is not the best move. A better move is to develop your pieces.

On the left, we see to want to yell ... CHECK!!! We love the idea of the 4-move check-mate ... which does exist, but it only fools kids once.

And so .... a totally overhaul of HealthCare, or other major legislation, will never happen during "The Opening". We need to get our key (legislative) pieces in place to give us an advantage for the MIDDLE GAME. And then, and this is important, we can close in on the opponent's king.

We will never "4-move check-mate" our way to a single payer model (as an example).

[jgraz]

23. The country is further left than most in the Progressive Caucus.

We have a looooong way to go before support starts diminishing on the left.

[monmouth]

28. I just decided I must learn to play chess. You explain beautifully...n/t

[jgraz]

35. Except: real leadership is exactly *not* like playing chess.

You go out, you make your case, you win the debate and you get people to follow. It's actually a lot harder than "playing chess", but it's what Obama needs to be doing.

[JoePhilly]

41. If you want to learn to play chess ... Chessmaster ... $11 ... link here ...

First ... I don't work for them ... I get no royalties from Chessmaster :-)

ok ... Chessmaster, can teach a child to play chess, my 7 year old now plays.

If you already know the basics, it will teach you tactics, and introduce you to strategy. If you are already decent, it will make you stronger. It covers absolutely everything. You learn at your own pace, you can get hints and tips in the middle of a game against a computer opponent who is matched to your level.

You can play tournaments against other players, or against the dozens and dozens of computer opponents.

Tutorials are given by masters, some where you watch, some where you have to try and figure out the "best move" ... and the tool explains why one move was better than another.

You can play a game, and then "back-up" to any point and try a different move to see what happens next.

I bought it for $20, its now at $11 ... and for the money, I've spent more time on this game then any other computer game dollar for dollar.


http://chessmaster.us.ubi.com/xi/index.php

[Clio the Leo]

29. Demonstrating the divide between the Dems and the GOP is BRILLIANT...

.... showing the divide within the Democratic party, not so much.

It's crucial that we demonstrate to the electorate that we're the big tent party that welcomes a diversity of ideas .... even if it's not true. lol

[jgraz]

34. No, it's crucial to the electorate that Obama demonstrate that he gets it

Engaging the progressives (instead of dismissing us or sending his CoS to call us "fucking retarded") is how you earn their votes back.

[impik]

12. After this, no one will come out to play with Obama

[HopeOverFear]

17. Me too, cspan! Me too!

[jgraz]

19. We should all call the White House and tell them we want more of these.

Nothing but good can come of it.

[Kind of Blue]

20. I did on the night of SOTU to dispense with the weekly

radio talk and use television instead, but this exchange between branches to help all Americans understand the process is really brilliant.

[jenmito]

22. It's not OBAMA they'd have to "encourage." It's the Repubs., who already say they made a

mistake by doing this on camera because Obama was so good.

[gkhouston]

25. Oh, happy dance! The Republicans won't admit they looked like idiots, so

they'll volunteer for regular trips to the woodshed! :rofl:


They must be gleeful at the WH today.

[TTUBatfan2008]

30. I think it would be a good thing...

It's a lot easier to attack him when he's not talking to Republican Congressmen. And by attack, I'm referring to the nutjob emails that are going around. They lose a lot of credibility when the Republican Congressmen talk to him and realize he's not a whackjob and perhaps calm down their whacko constituents.

[Ildem09]

38. LOOOVES it

i've been calling for US question time for years. its good for democracy

[ProgressOnTheMove]

42. It can only be a healthy thing when the battle of ideas are shown for whose are better or worse.