If Obama succeeds with the upcoming HCR Summit, he should go one step further...

[Independent_Voice]

One of two things is going to happen, in the aftermath of the upcoming "bipartisan" (*wink*) health care reform summit.

A.) Obama gets a bill (albeit heavily-flawed) passed, either via reconciliation or by overriding a filibuster

B.) The Democratic bill dies (most likely through a filibuster that can't be overcome), but the Republicans look like obstructionists to the bulk of the populace that wants actual reform

Either way, if Obama uses the February 25 summit to put the Republicans on the spot, he scores a political victory.

If it indeed works out that way, then I think he should take it to the next level.

In the summer, Obama should announce a health care summit for U.S. Senatorial candidates, with a similar "bipartisan invite" that he's extending for the one later this month. Collectively invite Republican and Democratic nominees from all of the key states, once the parties' primaries have been decided (meaning the summit would be held probably in mid-September), to an interactive roundtable for some "give-and-take" on what priorities they would each have related to health care if (re-?)elected to the U.S. Senate in November.

Extend the invitation for Roy Blunt to brainstorm/debate alongside Robin Carnahan. Sue Lowden or Danny Tarkanian alongside Harry Reid. John Boozman or Gilbert Baker alongside Blanche Lincoln. Jane Norton alongside Michael Bennet. Kelly Ayotte alongside Paul Hodes. Richard Burr alongside Elaine Marshall. Mark Kirk alongside Alexi Giannoulias. Etc, etc, etc.

All in the same damn room (with an appropriate moderator, of course).

Any bets on how many of these Republican senatorial nominees would simply refuse to show up? (or cite "conflicting travel plans") -- in the meantime, giving the Democratic nominees free publicity and complimentary televised airtime (especially to point out either the absence and/or the flawed thinking of their Republican opponents). Not to mention, this summit would arrive right in time to become a reference point for the major debates between Senatorial candidates back in their respective states.

If a major health care bill gets passed before then, this would be a prologue for Obama to set an agenda for amending and strengthening the weak/underwhelming parts of the bill. Things like advocating for recission reform, watering down any mandates, equalizing rates/premiums for those with preexisting conditions, establishing a federal agency to punish insurance companies for abuse against consumers, et. al.

If a major health care bill dies in Congress before then, it gives Obama and the Democratic congressional candidates a golden -- and very visible -- opportunity to reframe the entire agenda that refocuses on goals that voters want to see...and put Republicans on the spot as far as promoting or opposing (most likely the latter) those goals.

What's the alternative? -- sit idly by and let a majority of Democratic congressional candidates get eaten up by the bullshit MSM mantra of "the Democrat Party is going down"...and thus be even more ineffectual come 2011 and for the 2012 races?

[ProSense]

1. "In the summer"?

What?

[Independent_Voice]

2. Yes, because...

Not all of the senatorial primaries in a lot of the key states will have been decided by May or June.

Of course, if it was going to be held a lot earlier, Obama could also exercise the option to invite multiple candidates from within the same primary, if that primary hasn't been held yet...but then, that would sort of defeat the purpose of putting the actual Senatorial nominees on-the-spot in terms of what they would pledge to do for health care.

[ProSense]

4. Democrats would be

crazy to still be holding talks about health care in the summer. They better aim to get a bill passed before winter ends.

[karynnj]

6. I agree with you - especially as there is a time limit on reconciliation

The Democrats are crazy if they can't work out the fix package - and maybe get Obama's public word that he will veto the bill if the fix is not done.

[Independent_Voice]

7. I think they probably will

The problem is, there will most likely still be major flaws to be fixed in the bill (and we'll have a better idea of the specifics once the bill passes). Yes, its passage will be an important starting point for HCR...but President Obama will need to convince Americans that we will actually be able to afford this health care coverage in the coming years. And he needs to convince the public of that prior to the 2010 midterms, in order to prevent the MSM from writing his party's political obituary.

I'm proposing that after the first bill has most likely passed (this winter), Obama should continue the dialogue by holding public, televised forums on what still needs to be done. And putting the U.S. Senate candidates (both Republican and Democratic) on-the-spot will expose the knuckle-draggers. It will also place several of the tight races in the national spotlight, and could tip them in our favor. This is what I was trying to describe/explain above.

If we do nothing, and "let fate take its course" for the 2010 races, I fear we'll be letting the Talking Heads hijack the narrative of how the midterms are going to play out...and they'll do so in the GOP's favor (by striking fear into the public dialogue with accusations of the Democrats passing "government-mandated socialized insurance").

[timeforpeace]

3. It's dead Jim, The repukes aren't going to play.

[global1]

5. I Almost Hope The Regressives (formerly known as Repugs or the party of "NO") Boycott.....

the Feb 25th meeting. I thinking that Obama is also trying to get his Dems riled up to the point that they will go along with 'reconcilliation' to pass health reform.

That's what is going to have to happen. He's going to say - look - I tried everything and they boycotted this meeting. I gave them every chance I could - now we're going to get this done our way and by ourselves. He has got to get tough. He has got to shove it down their throats.

[vaberella]

9. Me too. Then everyone will give up on the party and no one will vote for them. n/t

[vaberella]

8. Many of them might not show. I hope they don't because they'll look like fools. n/t

[ProgressOnTheMove]

10. That's a wonderful idea, this is how we win staying ahead of the curve. +1

[ProgressOnTheMove]

11. We can't lose if we keep offering them debate, if thy do't turn up we can label cowards...

if they do we can "obliterate them." Metaphorically.