Just watched Meet the Press with guests Jon Kyle (R) and John Kerry (D) both members of the super committee charged with coming up with a deficit reduction package. The two senators sat next to each other at the same table while host David Gregory interviewed them separately, first one then the other… no interaction, no questions, no measuring one idea against another (uh, you know work of democracy). Just two walking talking press releases in coat and tie, spouting their own convenient version of “facts” that bore so little similarity to each other it was like watching The Twilight Zone. Who knows who insisted on that particular format, but a pox on both their houses. Two adult men (the Senate’s elder statesmen no less) charged with leading our country in finding a compromise on the most important issues of our day cannot speak to each other in constructive dialogue. I’ve heard stories of political foes being unwilling to occupy the same green room ahead of joint appearances, but we’ve clearly crossed the Rubicon. If that particular appearance is any measure, don’t be expecting a compromise.

Need new role models.