The February 25 “summit meeting” between the President and 12 Democratic and 9 Republican members of Congress, which will be nationally televised, is intended by the White House to be a public relations ploy to salvage Obamacare.
 
The President himself will be moderating the meeting, which will be held at the Blair House, a White House annex, giving the Democrats a clear advantage.  Because of Obama’s communications skills, the liberals think they can change the public’s overwhelmingly negative opinion of Obamacare.

 
While the GOP understands the “summit” is a trap, they are forced to participate, since they have been critical of Democrats in Congress for running a “closed shop” on health care.
 
The Washington Times quoted White House spokesman Robert Gibbs as saying it would be hypocritical of Republicans to refuse to participate.
 
"Not accepting an invitation to do what they'd asked the president to do--if they decide not to, I'll let them leap the chasm that's there and try to explain why they're now opposed to what they said they wanted most to do," Gibbs said.
 
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) will apparently attend the “summit.”  McConnell and Boehner will each get to bring four other members of Congress with them.  It is not clear whom they will select, but the Associated Press reported that Congressman Dave Camp of Michigan would be one of Boehner’s selections.
 
Another big problem with the “summit” is the discussion will center on the House and Senate versions of Obamacare, which both involve massive government control of health care, especially rationing for seniors, to bring down costs.
 
The American people believe that both House and Senate versions of Obamacare are so seriously flawed, the cause of health reform can best be achieved by starting over from scratch.
 
Rasmussen Reports found that a hefty 61% want the House and Senate to start over again on health care.  Only 28% think the legislation currently being debated in Congress should be the basis of further deliberations.  11% were not sure.
 
Similarly, The Hill reported that a new Zogby International poll for the University of Texas Health Science Center showed that 57% do not like either the House or Senate versions of Obamacare and say Congress should start over.
 
But the “summit” will not seriously consider other ideas for reform of health care, like allowing health insurance to be sold across state lines and providing reasonable limits on massive awards in malpractice cases, since plaintiff lawyers are major contributors to Democratic candidates.