The Health Care Revolution May or May Not Be Televised

Hang on to your remotes, America! A programming showdown has pitted top Democrats against that station you never watch, what is it, channel 64 or 79 or something…

Barack Obama made a campaign promise in January 2008 that a debate on health care legislation would include "bringing all parties together, and broadcasting those negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are."

Now C-SPAN is seeking permission to offer live TV coverage of the final discussions over the health-care bill.

But as Democrats enter talks on the separate versions of the legislation passed by the House and Senate, they're hesitant to allow C-SPAN's cameras to air the proceedings. Republicans say Democrats are backing away from Obama's pledge of transparency.

Is that what they're doing?

Or have Democrats finally gotten in touch with mainstream America, thereby learning that mainstream America is only interested in watching television that involves competitive cooking, competitive weight loss and a guido with a heart of gold?