ELIMINATE THE MIDDLEMAN – AT 10:21 A.M. ET:  A great idea, actually imported from Britain, may now surface here.

I'm referring to the president's appearance yesterday before House Republicans, in a special meeting.  The questions were respectful, but sharp, and the president gave at least a fair number of substantive answers.  I hope you saw it on TV.

This resembled Prime Minister's Question Time, carried often by CSPAN, in which the British prime minister answers questions from Commons.  The breath of fresh air factor is the elimination of the media.  They get their shots at other times, but the back-and-forth between the chief executive and the loyal opposition is informative, and often entertaining.

One pundit suggested that the president do this once a month.  I agree.  I think it would do more to change the atmosphere in Washington than any other quick and easy step.  And, considering that the questions are usually better than those asked by the press, the media might learn a few things.

January 30,  2010