White House Healthcare Summit

[danefan]

So....about this health care summit.

The Republicans asked for a bipartisan, nationally televised, healthcare discussion. The President has delivered and will provide them a seat at the table and a national television audience on February 25th.

So what say you? An honest bipartisan attempt to get something done? Or a mere political trap!

[Grizalltheway]

[Col Hogan]

If the republicans walk in with no substantial offers, then yea, its a trap...

Of course, it could work the other way...the republicans walk in with a great idea, and the democrats reject it out of hand...then the trap will be for the dems...

[danefan]

If the republicans walk in with no substantial offers, then yea, its a trap...

Of course, it could work the other way...the republicans walk in with a great idea, and the democrats reject it out of hand...then the trap will be for the dems...

That doesn't sound like a trap to me. Sounds like a negotiation.

My quesiton is this: Do the Republicans have any political incentive to actually try to reach a middle ground?

They're entire platform right now appears to be an attempt to demonize Obama and the Congressional dems into power hungary corrupt politicians. That platform is out the window if they actually reach some middle ground.

[GannonFan]

The summit itself is just a stunt - it's not like all these people haven't had the better part of a year to talk over the various issues. Meeting for a few hours with TV cameras on won't change anything. And frankly, who's going to really spend time to watch this, outside of the committed partisans on both sides? It's an interesting idea, but it's a vastly poor substitute to say, actually governing and legislating. But hey, at least zealots on both sides will have something to watch and some more sound bites to pounce on.

[Ivytalk]

The GOP will present the concepts of portability, tort reform, catastrophic care, and a few other conservative planks. Obama will reject them, and we'll be back to square one.

[AZGrizFan]

The GOP will present the concepts of portability, tort reform, catastrophic care, and a few other conservative planks. Obama will reject them, and we'll be back to square one.

Good. That's a perfect scenario.

[SeattleGriz]

The GOP will present the concepts of portability, tort reform, catastrophic care, and a few other conservative planks. Obama will reject them, and we'll be back to square one.

Exactly, what the people want!

It's a trap for BHO.