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Next Thursday, the 25th, the President and leaders of the Democratic Party are scheduled to meet with leaders of the Republican Party at the Blair House in Washington, D.C. The event is scheduled to be televised by C-SPAN. The President has challenged the Republicans to put forth their solutions to the health care problem in this country. He is looking for compromise so he can get something passed.
However, the Republicans, the Party of "NO", are not very keen on debating the President in front of TV cameras, so the whole nation can see. They remember the last time they were massacred by the President and his ready availability of facts, which he used to shoot down their every talking point.
The Republicans have been quite successful at using the media to fight their political battles. It's easy to go on TV and spread bullshit around when there is no one there to call you on it. And that is what the Republicans have done for the last year.
So they are hesitant to step into a "trap". Their definition of a "trap" is anything where they cannot control the lies they wish to put out. Many are recommending that the Republicans not show up. Even Rush Limbaugh is calling it a trap. Many are saying the President should start all over from scratch.
This is the dilemma in which the Republicans find themselves. If they show up, they may be made to look like obstructing fools. They could be forced to compromise on some issues, such as cost controls, pre-existing conditions, and portability. This would be giving a victory to Barack Obama.
If they don't show up, the President and the Democrats can rightfully say that the Republicans did not want to work to resolve the problem and then can work in reconciliation to pass healthcare reform. The Republicans may end up with something worse than if they had worked with the Democrats. This is their dilemma. Get out the popcorn.
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