One week ago, television pundits and journalists from both sides of the aisle actually came together in agreement about the futility of the health summit. While some conservatives declared the meeting a trap meant to ensnare negotiation and an equal number of liberals ballyhooed the President’s attempt at open dialogue, most Americans agree the summit was just another reiteration of the consensus from both sides. Open dialogue and expression of opinion is enlightening and necessary, but many Americans feel the time has come for action, if only for its own sake. The public has endured hours of congressional debate, town hall meetings, and media discussion on this issue with no new agreement. Last Thursday’s summit was no exception.

The nationally televised event lasted over seven hours and achieved an atmosphere of cooperation, but no actual legislation. President Obama opened the event by expressing his desire to find a middle ground, but also showed how his year in office has made him aware of the limits of hope. “We might surprise ourselves and find out that we agree more than we disagree," Mr. Obama said. The President then qualified this hope adding, "It may turn out, on the other hand, there's just too big of a gulf."

Republicans refused to budge on their stance and expressed the need to erase the past 13 months of reconciliation and begin again. Senator McCain took the floor at one point and read off a list of “unsavory deals” in the Democratic bills that his party could not stand for. In the end, Mr. Obama concluded that if the two parties cannot reach a deal, Democrats would push legislation anyway and let voters judge in the next election.

Even though the President implied that the healthcare stalemate might soon be over, recent Democratic losses in both houses of Congresses suggest that any decisions made now may be rescinded in the near future. President Obama’s clamor for action after months of listening and debate is admirable and needed, but may be in vain without bipartisan support.