Right now millions of Americans should be receiving e-mails from David Plouffe, the 2008 Obama-Biden campaign manager, asking for input, thoughts, and concerns about the pending U.S. Supreme Court appointment.
Selecting the presidential nominee to the Supreme Court is one of the most important powers of the presidency, and the naming and confirmation of a nominee is one of the highest-profile political processes.
The appointment process is also shrouded in secrecy, the ultimate insiders' game.
This can and should change. President Obama could be changing the rules of the game by opening up the process, seeking public input and scoring high political points in the process.
Instead, we are being treated to business-as-usual: Endless guessing about a prescreened short-list and speculation about how crazy the GOP will go in opposing the nominee.
This is business as usual. And opening up the process would be so easy and reap so many benefits that one feels like grabbing the collective administration and saying, "Guys, get your heads out and get creative!"
It's not too late, but like last Summer's appointment of Justice Sonia Maria Sotomayor, President Obama is blowing this opportunity for high innovation and democracy during a political spectacle whomever he eventually chooses.
Nothing new, no changes. Too bad.
Makes one believe that too many insiders and not enough innovative thinkers are running the show in the West Wing.
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