Centrismal forces

Ah, you can feel it in the air. After six years of Republican control of all three branches of government -- a period of cynicism, graft, incompetence, and A War to Start All Other Wars, our esteemed punditocracy now sees an "opportunity" for Dems to govern according to the pundit's desire for centrist, bi-partisian detente.

Nevermind that the Iraq Study Group's long-awaited recommendations -- as representative of group think as has ever been conceived -- could otherwise be know as The Plan for Perpetual Pony Rides in Iraq. For Dean Broder, it's the male bonding that matters.

"No one wanted to see us embarrassed by being unable to come to consensus," Simpson said.

Panetta observed that while most of the commission members had had some dealings with each other in their previous positions, they really bonded during their inspection trip to Baghdad earlier this year. "Fifteen hours on the plane together and three days in a tough place -- that was a human experience where we shared a lot and really got to know each other," he said.

I'm sure the families of the nearly 3,000 American soldiers dead in Iraq to-date are relieved that their lives were not lost in vain.

When I asked the commission members whether they thought their experience of coming to agreement could serve as an example to others, the answers were emphatic.

"Hopefully," Jordan said, "the House and Senate and both political parties will be instructed by our process. In the rollout, we're going to try to provide that example. I'll be going around with Ed Meese," the former Republican attorney general, "and there will be other bipartisan pairs, led by Baker and Hamilton."

Yeah, Jordan and Meese. That sounds like the funniest duo since Martin and Lewis. Or Benny and Rochester.

When I put the question to Panetta, he said, "Our forefathers intended that a process like this work for people elected to office -- the president and members of Congress in both the House and Senate. They believed they would come from different places but ultimately find consensus -- that was the Miracle of Philadelphia," the compromise that produced the Constitution.

Yes, the Miracle Compromise, otherwise know as Our Peculiar Institution, that took a Civil War to fix. That worked out well.

And then there's Ruth Marcus, who sees the Democraticising of Congress as a way towards bipartisan concensus on the Social Security problem. Or something. Nevermind that it was Democrats' unwavering defense of this vital and popular safety net that began to turn the tide of public perception about Democrats and Republicans in 2005. And especially nevermind that Social Security doesn't have "a problem" that can't be fixed by some relatively simple adjustments, such as raising the contribution ceiling. Let's form a bipartisan commission to give the President what he wants -- Private Accounts and a cut in current benefits to pay for them. Brilliant.

That's not a third rail, Ruth. That's throwing ourselves in front of the oncoming train.

But I'll let the Incomparable Somerby take on this fucking fish wrap as only he can.