Transparent motive… 

WASHINGTON DC –  […]  The Obama administration is asking Rep. Darrell Issa not to put its senior Medicare official next to the now infamous Obamacare “architect” when both testify on Capitol Hill next Tuesday.

But it’s very clear that Issa, in one of his last investigative hearings as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wants to put Obamacare in a harsh spotlight by pairing Gruber with Marilyn Tavenner of CMS. They’ll be speaking about separate Obamacare issues — and the administration wants Issa to seat them separately, too.

“I am writing to reiterate the request made to your staff regarding the structure of the hearing; that is, that Administrator Tavenner be provided the opportunity to testify on a panel comprised solely of government witnesses,” Jim Esquea, assistant secretary for legislation at HHS, wrote in a letter obtained by POLITICO. “Executive Branch officials are almost always afforded an opportunity to testify on a panel either alone or with other government witnesses.”

Gruber is the only other person scheduled to appear before the committee.  (read more)