These meticulously staged “conversations on Social Security,” as they are called, replicate a strategy that Bush used to great effect on the campaign trail. But instead of appealing to his political base in hopes of driving up turnout, Bush this time is targeting a far narrower audience of swing voters in the Senate — centrists who so far appear unswayed by the president’s public salesmanship. And Democrats, led by their new party chairman, Howard Dean, have begun firing back, belittling the forums as rigged spectacles rather than true town hall meetings.

The White House follows a practiced formula for each of the meetings. First it picks a state in which generally it can pressure a lawmaker or two, and then it lines up panelists who will sing the praises of the president’s plan. Finally, it loads the audience with Republicans and other supporters.

WaPo: Social Security: On With the Show

Dear Fearless Leader is too much of a coward to directly confront or address those that disagree with him.