New Scheme Proposed

I'm referring, of course, to Debra Saunder's suggestion that the United States consider something like a Question Time utilized in the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Blair has to face Parliment and answer for his actions.

She states, "A U.S. president wouldn't have to adhere to the British model, where the prime minister confronts members of Parliament most Wednesdays when the House of Commons is in session. Neither Bush -- nor any other American president -- would have the time to prep for a 30-minute Q&A on a near-weekly basis. But a U.S. president could go before Congress from time to time to answer questions when he or she is trying to push through dicey legislation. Bush, for example, could have discussed the prescription drug plan or taken on the mealy-mouthed Democrats about what should happen in Iraq.

Americans, some say, may not react well to the rowdiness of a Question Time. "There's no decorum" in the U.K.'s Question Time, noted Bob Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies. It would be "offensive" to see members of Congress jeer at an American president as members of Parliament jeer at Blair."

Well, that's one reason why President Bush would never do it. This is not called an imperial presidency for naught. And as for President Bush answering questions about his policies, we'll see exactly how he (and Karl Rove) feels about that in the debates next year.