For all the praise I’ve given Republicans for their embrace of bloggers, I don’t like the way the Senate Republican Conference has organized its event this afternoon. All the questions were written in advance and there’s actually a script that Sen. Rick Santorum (R.-Pa.) is following.
I hope I’ll be able to ask my own questions as the event moves forward, but that seems unlikely given that senators are running in and out of the room to vote—a huge distraction. I give Republicans credit for trying, but this event is not what bloggers want. I don’t appreciate such a rigid and structured program, especially one that has no spontaneity at all.
We get enough spin watching politicians bloviate all the time—whether it’s on TV or the Senate floor. This event should be an opportunity for them to be open and honest (only conservatives were invited)—not just another session to regurgitate the same old talking points.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be able to still quiz Santorum about his discouraging comments to the Washington Times’ Charlie Hurt about spending and immigration.
