not holding my breath for this to happen!

Via Carpetbagger :

Trying to lure Bush out of his bubble Bush’s very expensive bubble, which carefully shields the president from any kind of dissent, is pretty tough to pop. Nevertheless, the top two Dems in Congress are doing their level best to lure our shy president out of his shell to deal with Americans who aren’t pre-screened sycophants.

In fact, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi wrote to the president this week with a clever little pitch: if you like “town-hall meetings” on Social Security somuch, maybe we should all hold one together.

“As you may know, throughout this entire session of Congress including this most recent Congressional recess, we and the members of our Caucuses have traveled throughout our states and districts, talking directly to the American people about Social Security and our concerns about privatization. We have heard from our constituents and Americans from all across the country that they are concerned that the deep benefit cuts and massive new debt required by your privatization proposal will do more to dismantle the Social Security system than strengthen it.

“As we have watched you and members of your administration travel throughout the country on your “60 Stops in 60 Days” Tour, we have seen and heard numerous accounts indicating that your events have been carefully staged and scripted to ensure that you will only hear from handpicked participants who support your privatization plan. Despite your statements that you welcome hearing all views on this important issue, it seems increasingly clear that the vast majority of Americans who oppose your privatization plan are excluded from participating in the conversation.

“We believe it is critical to hear voices from all sides of the debate to ensure that the positions we take and the decisions we make truly reflect the national interest.

“Therefore, as you reach the mid-point of this sixty day tour, we would like to invite you to participate in a National Town Hall on Social Security privatization. We would work with you and your staff to ensure that members of the general public would be invited so that you could hear first hand the concerns most Americans have about your privatization plan and its deep benefit cuts and massive debt increases.”

Now that’s a good idea. Bush kvetches constantly that Dems don’t want to talk to him about Social Security, despite his stated desire to reach a bi-partisan approach. He even tells his (carefully screened) audiences that he’ll listen to anyone with a good idea.

Well, here’s his chance. Reid and Pelosi have an offer on the table: a bi-partisan gathering with regular Americans for an open discussion on the president’s top domestic policy goal. Bush, who insists he wants to hear good ideas, work with Dems, and reassure people about his agenda, should jump at the chance, right? Right?