American television if he thinks the Republicans have not had more than a sufficient chance to get their ideas out to the public.

Dowd also lets one slip about what George Bush thought of listening to competing ideas:

Dowd: I think it does help demonstrate that Barack Obama's interested in diversity of opinion within the decision making process, which was a huge problem, and a perception that people had of George W. Bush. He had no interest, people thought he had no interest in getting diversity of opinion. At least Barack Obama by doing this is demonstrating that he wants it.

I think Dowd was being honest before he corrected himself.