"... that it inspired a short-lived bipartisan campaign, called 'Demand Question Time,' to bring the British tradition to the U.S. '[T]here was something riveting and moving about political opponents squaring off for an unfettered and unmoderated discussion of the challenges that face the nation,'
*Mother Jones’*s David Corn wrote. 'Though nothing was resolved in terms of policy and legislation, this was a moment of optimism.' Tuesday’s lively Oval Office photo op—a sit-down between the Democratic leaders, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, and President Trump and a sullen and silent Mike Pence—was perhaps the closest American politics has come to a repeat of that unusual day.... Repeatedly, in the course of the photo op, Pelosi tried to rein in the discussion... 'We came in here in good faith,' she told reporters, 'and we’re entering into this kind of a discussion in the public view.' Trump, naturally, was less perturbed. 'It’s not bad, Nancy,' he responded. 'It’s called transparency.' Trump’s surliness and Pelosi’s unease aside, the participation of public servants in public discussions about public affairs does seem healthy. It’s a wonder we’ve gone so long with so few of them."
Writes Osita Nwanevu in
"Trump, Pelosi, and Schumer’s Oval Office Spat Is an Argument for More Public Debate" (The New Yorker).
Here's an article from Politico from 2010,
"Left, right want Obama 'question time.'"
A politically diverse group of bloggers, commentators, techies and politicos on Wednesday will launch an online campaign, Demand Question Time, urging President Barack Obama and GOP congressional leaders to hold regular, televised conversations like the extraordinary exchange in Baltimore on Friday. Original endorsers include Grover Norquist and Eli Pariser, Joe Trippi and Mark McKinnon, Markos Moulitsas and Ed Morrissey, and many more, including Ari Melber, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Ana Marie Cox and Nate Silver. The steering committee is made up of Micah Sifry, David Corn, Mike Moffo, Mindy Finn, Jon Henke and Glenn Reynolds.
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36 comments:
The Trumpster would have exactly zero problem with that. Barry, or Hillary or anybody else not so much.
Personally I think the public needs to view a lot more sausage makery.
‘We came in here in good faith,' she told reporters, 'and we’re entering into this kind of a discussion in the public view.'
Did she not try to get the press excluded? The woman lies with such a straight face.
A politically diverse group of bloggers, commentators, techies and politicos on Wednesday will launch an online campaign, Demand Question Time, urging President Barack Obama and GOP congressional leaders to hold regular, televised conversations like the extraordinary exchange in Baltimore on Friday.
And, of course, they never got it, & even more of course, they just let it slide for fear of offending the LightWorker & his minions & thus being banished to outer reportorial darkness forever & ever.
Overnight, I listened to right-wing radio, & the hosts made a very good point -- whatever you may think of The Trumpster, at least, in this exchange you know for sure what are his views on illegal immigration. Do you know what Pelosi & Schumer think on the matter? I mean, we here, hostile to Pelosi & Schumer, think we do --- "they're for open borders they just can't say it!". But, if you were a supporter would you know what they think?
The problem that P & S have is that public support for clamping down on illegal immigration tracks at about 75 - 80%, with major Democratic constituencies (e.g. blacks) leading the charge. Thus, Trump knows that he has the numbers to force the issue & Pelosi & Schumer know that open discussion of the issue is a minefield for the Dems.
That's why Pelosi & Schumer wanted the room cleared.
I've said for many years I'd love an American version of "Question Time."
I mean, we here, hostile to Pelosi & Schumer, think we do --- "they're for open borders they just can't say it!".
They aren't in favor of it at all. Corporate America (and hard core libertarians) are the only fans of open borders. Republicans during Obama and Democrats during Trump have a strong tendency to disagree about things they don't actually disagree about on principle. Both sides really need to break out of that tendency.
Big Mike said...
Did she not try to get the press excluded? The woman lies with such a straight face.
That's the miracle of botox!
Yes, it was telling that both Pelosi and Schumer wanted to shoo away the cameras, ostensibly so that they could "negotiate". But who here believes the discussion was any different in private than what we saw in public?
@John,
They aren't in favor of it at all. Corporate America (and hard core libertarians) are the only fans of open borders.
Uhhhhmmm, what? You left out among those who are in favor of open borders the "activist" Latino community, & Democrats who realize that, after the blacks, that Mexican & Central American ethnics vote Democratic about 75%+ once they start to vote.
There's no shortage of open border supporters on the Left of the Democratic Party & further Left. I have no idea why you think that Libertarians & corporate America are the only or even primary supporters.
"They aren't in favor of it at all."
Of course they are. They think it's a fresh pool of votes.
Question Time in the British Parliament should be a model of decorum for the US version. Trump could get right into it.
Boy, blogger is cranky today.
They aren't in favor of it at all. Corporate America (and hard core libertarians) are the only fans of open borders.
True.
Republicans during Obama and Democrats during Trump have a strong tendency to disagree about things they don't actually disagree about on principle. Both sides really need to break out of that tendency.
Republican congressmen are STILL for open borders, because Corporate America is for open borders. Trump, and his base, are not. They're a subset of Republicans. As for Dems - THEY'RE the ones who changed views on this. Part of it is because of Trump, and part of it is because of the change of philosophy that happened during the Obama administration - replace the current voting populace with voters that are more pliable.
Boy, blogger is cranky today.
It's big 10-4 to that, good buddy!
(This is 2nd post of this. Blogger "disappeared" attempt one. Just "poof" & gone. No error, no nuthin'.
Lefties for Open Borders.
YH: "The problem that P & S have is that public support for clamping down on illegal immigration tracks at about 75 - 80%, with major Democratic constituencies (e.g. blacks) leading the charge."
Which is why LLR Chuck is in meltdown panic mode for his dem pals.
As for Dems - THEY'RE the ones who changed views on this.
Dems haven't changed views, they just don't want to admit publicly what they believe. But when you claim all immigration restrictions are racist you either support open borders or are an admitted racist. Claiming they support open borders is the most generous interpretation of their position.
"Left, right want Obama 'question time.'"
Yeah, but O didn't want it. What was there to be questioned? And why would he expose his stumbling umm-uhh ways to public ridicule?
There is a lot more value to arguments when people from both sides are present. It can stop people from making absurd claims or serving up too much red meat. Most of what we get these days in most forums is one-sided. Some pretend by including a token attenuated version of the other side, but it's rare to have strong, well-informed people from both sides who are arguing in good faith. I think people want that even if they have a taste for red meat, which I admit I do myself. I still want my ideas and biases tested and challenged, and I certainly want the same done to the other side.
Remember when Obama promised to wait 3 days before signing bills and promised us unprecedented transparency. Ahh, good times.
And remember when Hillary was running for President and went for over a year without a press conference.
Trump has delivered on transparency and access like nobody else, and he didn't need to promise it to get votes. It's similar to how the U.S. is the only country to substantially reduce carbon emissions per the Paris agreement while not even needing to be part of the agreement - doers versus talkers.
Trump's surliness? Such fake news. Sad!
‘She’s Scared’ — Ted Cruz Criticizes Pelosi For Wanting To Turn Cameras Off During White House Meeting.
Question Time here would prove we are ruled by our lessers . It would be entertaining but appalling.
Not so much about the "debate," as that Pelosi and Schumer could not deal even with Trump face to face and refused to even try.
These people would not stand a chance in a British style "Questions for the Majority Leader."
We have to wait for the meeting to pass before we know what was in it.
bagoh20 said...remember when Hillary was running for President and went for over a year without a press conference.
--
And the Clinton Corral..
mindy finn, that was egg mcmuffin's runningmate, wonder what ever happened to her,
Of course the left is for open borders. It would be racist not to be!
Question Time is based on the fact that in the British system, the executive is an at-will employee of the legislature, not an independently elected head of his own branch. Even members of the minority get to question because they're part of the body the ministers answer to. It just can't work the same if you tried to transplant it to America, because the underlying balance of power is different.
Question time was, and is, a waste of time. It’s an opportunity for politicirns to make politically favorable and grandiose statements masked by fake humility. This really works well with a favorable press. If the press is Parisian, and hostile to you, it won’t matter what you say.
All q&a to be done on Twitter while on screen.
I'd love to see Alexandria Ocasia Cortex in something like this
She has a team producing her Twitter (any doubt?)
And watching her emote on her feet would be great fun
or a drinking game each time she plays the woman card - are you catcalling me?
"Question Time" is fun to watch, but just another show made to look real. People are to much taken by entertainment. I used to watch the British version a lot. But, after awhile, you begin to see that it was all stage managed and fake. But whatever turns you on!
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