The Revolution Will Not be Televised

The President confronts his own promises...

Sometimes campaign promises can come back to haunt you, and President Obama is finding that out in the latest administration controversy.

It’s a case of be careful what you promise because someone is going to remember. Oh, it’s not about Gitmo or Afghanistan or health care…it’s about transparency.

Although, it is about healthcare as well, because several times during the 2008 campaign, the President pledged that the debate over healthcare reform would be open, and available to the American people.

In fact, he allowed as how it would be a good idea to televise all healthcare negotiations, even the conference committee now working to meld the senate and house bills.

But those meetings are being held in private and C-Span has challenged the White House to open them up.

The President’s defenders argue that the hours of televised debate we’ve had already produced grandstanding and soundbites, but even some Democrats and media folks are saying a promise is a promise.

CNN’s Jack Cafferty was livid.

“You either support openness or you don’t,” Cafferty said. “The Democrats insist this is all on the up and up with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying, quote, there’s never been a more open process for any legislation, unquote. Huh, really.”

Now, despite the usual press conference rugby scrum on the subject, the White House is leaving it up to the congressional leadership, and they have so far said no.