Too much scrutiny for American presidents?

primeC-SPAN junkies know the joy of watching the weekly prime minister’s questions, when Great Britain’s chief executive counters whatever queries and jeers members of the House of Commons throw at him. It’s delicious to think about the American president being subjected to such rowdy interrogation and direct accountability (though painful to imagine some presidents, chief among them George Bush, trying to do it). John McCain’s recent call to import the tradition to Congress drew an objection from columnist George Will, though: “Prime ministers sit in the House because Britain’s system of government is not based, as ours is, on separation of powers.” Noting that the separation has been blurred, Will added: “McCain’s proposal would further diminish Congress’ dignity by deepening the perception of its subordination.” Still, it would be fun to see every American president try it, at least once.

24 Comments

  1. oldgoat
    Posted June 6, 2008 at 3:44 am | Permalink

    I don’t think that it ought to be a regular thing, but I see no reason that it shouldn’t happen especially during important events like the SS revision, health care and especially if we are going to war. It isn’t enough that he can go on TV or before Congress to make a speech. He should also have to be able to defend his position. Of course with Bush and his speech making ability that would have been a joke.

  2. Kev
    Posted June 6, 2008 at 5:53 am | Permalink

    I think it would be a good thing ONLY if the President, while on the carpet, can call out members of Congress and demand answers from them as well!

  3. kansasdem
    Posted June 6, 2008 at 8:03 am | Permalink

    Someone please ask GW Bush what the hell he’s doing? A secret deal with Malicki that would continue Bush’s occupation of Iraq into infinity?

    From the Wash. Post this a.m.:
    “Despite opposition from both the Iraqi and American people, President Bush appears to be forging ahead on a multi-year security agreement with the Iraqi government that would lock in the occupation status quo.”

    Yes, absolutely, Bush needs more scrutiny; he needs to be locked up.

  4. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted June 6, 2008 at 10:19 am | Permalink

    If the press were doing it’s job, the daily pressers could serve such a function.

    But with the media in cahoots with the powers that be, we dont get too many tough questions asked, now do we?

    See also: snotty mcclellan

  5. CF2K
    Posted June 6, 2008 at 10:25 am | Permalink

    Screw “dignity”: I’ll take Democracy, thanks.

    Little Royalist Georgie Will won’t like it, which is all the more reason. Remember “We the People,” Georgie?

  6. Regular
    Posted June 6, 2008 at 10:35 am | Permalink

    Yes, British Parliament. In a land where 60 million plus people are jammed butt to ass in an area smaller than the State of Oregon (sans the uninhabited/sparsely mountain regions in the U.K.)

    If the land of the U.K. where they have politically correct decisions forced upon them by Muslims literally destroying the Island commonwealth’s heritage.

    Of course they need to yell at each other in Parliament, it’s all they have left.

  7. Jed
    Posted June 6, 2008 at 4:32 pm | Permalink

    Yeah, dignity, like when we all got to look up President Reagan’s ass on national television when he had that colonoscopy.
    The problem today is that if Bush came here to speak, nobody could afford the necessary eggs and produce to throw at him!

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