Panicky Republicans are clucking and cackling like the anxious chickens in the Super Bowl ad for Denny's pancake emporium. President Obama has invited Rs & Ds to chat about health care in a televised meeting this month. Pandemonium in the hen house.

Rooster-less Republicans have proven themselves masters of broad political slander. They whine about the deficit they built over eight years under President Bush, but offer no constructive solutions. Two wars have not made the country any safer at home, and the GOP scoffed at the use of diplomacy. Out of ideas and completely without a political game plan, Republicans hurl insults.

Obama is properly calling the GOP out on health care. The challenge - the dare - is to go live on national television and not only say what they do not like about the Democrats' health plan, but also lay out an alternative. Articulate a direction for a country that has lost medical coverage along with employment.

The GOP has nothing, except a willingness to pass the buck buck, buck buck, buck buck. So righteous and so chicken.