Six Other People Obama Should Invite Over for Beers

This evening President Obama is hosting Sgt. James Crowley and Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. at the White House for beers─postconflict beverages if you will. Last week I wrote about how this simple gesture is laden with potentially transformative meaning. Today, as White House Beerfest ’09 steadily approaches, I got to thinking about some other folks the president might consider easing tensions with over a chilled-out pint. Here are my top six. If you think I missed anyone, add their name in the comments.

1. Doug Elmendorf: The CBO director has become a bit of a headline grabber recently, particularly amongst policy wonks closely following the health-care debate. Elmendorf’s cost projections spell disaster for the House bill (particularly the letter his office released earlier this week showing the costs of reform spiraling in the second decade). With legislative negotiations halting during August recess, now might be the perfect time for Obama to have a friendly chat with Elmendorf, perhaps bend his ear about being more optimistic about cost savings. At this stage, some positive news from Elmendorf’s office would be a boon to both Obama and House Democrats. Maybe Obama should invite Henry Waxman along for the ride. 

2. Lou Dobbs: Like Fox counterpart Glenn Beck, the CNN host has been lending steam to an essentially ridiculous debate about whether Obama was born in America. Unlike Beck, Dobbs has been parsing his words carefully, giving credence to the so-called birthers without actually calling himself one. It's a damaging and unnecessary political sideshow for the president, riling up opponents and fostering xenophobia. Maybe Dobbs could be persuaded to let it go over a cold one.At the very least, Obama could subtly leave his birth certificate lying around for Dobbs to see.

3. Gen. Michael Hayden: The former CIA director is a widely respected authority on intelligence, so his recent refutations of Democratic claims that Congress wasn't briefed on surveillance programs haven't made things easy for Obama. Indeed relations between Democrats and the CIA have been repeatedly strained since Obama took office. He might find a quiet chat with Hayden quite useful, and downtrodden staff at the CIA might find it heartening.

4. Dick Cheney: This one doesn’t need much explaining. The formerly elusive vice president has emerged as one of Obama’s most relentless critics. So really, how fascinating would it be to see them both sit down for brewskis on the White House lawn? What I’d give to be a fly on the wall in that conversation (although I'd have to remember not to land on Obama's leg).

5. Left-Leaning Congressional Democrats: Although liberals in Congress have been among the president's most dependable allies, they haven't really gotten a lot for their troubles. Many were deeply disappointed by the modest emissions targets in the Waxman-Markey climate-change bill and they're essentially being shut out of the health-care debate while leadership scrambles to please blue dogs and moderates. A single-payer system wasn't even up for discussion. Add to that the lack of movement on issues of importance to the left─like Don't Ask, Don't Tell and marriage equality─and you've got a pretty disgruntled bunch. The least Obama could do is shout them a round.

6. Tim Geithner: The Treasury secretary is probably the one person in America most in need of a cold one. Geithner has been plagued by criticism since his nomination was announced. He slunk into the shadows in recent weeks while health-care reform took center stage, but if last night’s Daily Show investigation is any indication, his reprieve won’t last. It’s only a matter of time before Geithner-bashing season begins again. Honestly, would you want his job? That’s what I thought. It sucks to be him right now. Give the man a beer.

(And one more just for fun: what about Hillary Clinton? Hillary can hold reportedly hold her liquor. She won a vodka-shot contest against former Navy pilot John McCain in 2004. It'd be fun to see the two former rivals go head to head again. And while they're at it perhaps Obama could pry her for inormation about why, after all the talk about her debts, she's now hoarding $3 million in her campaign fund? I'm certainly curious about that.)

Who else should be on the list? Add your thoughts in the comments section below.