Here's a double-barreled opportunity.

First, the economy NEEDS not just a monetary (from the Fed) but a fiscal (from Congress and the President) stimulus package. Everyone from Larry Summers to Ben Bernacke agrees on that. President Bush is drawing one up--and guess what it'll be: to make the tax cuts permanent.

The Democrats are now uniquely positioned. We know who our nominee, and with work and luck, the next (Democratic) President will be: Senator Clinton or Edwards or Obama (deliberately alphabetically ordered). Their policy differences are minor and on the details. Let's use those facts to--already--create a shadow Presidency and a shadow fiscal stimulus package. Before the Nevada primary, in other words next week, these three candidates and their advisers should get together and hammer out THE Democratic stimulus package, something that they all agree to, that they can all be proud to take to the voters, that will then constrain congressional Democrats and that the Republicans will turn down at their peril.

And here's an even better variant. There aren't a lot of policy differences between these three. There aren't even a lot of perspective differences. That's why it's getting so personal and so nasty so fast. Let's change this game too.

Instead of another (nastier) debate, let's have them hammer out their differences and reach the stimulus package compromise on live TV next Tuesday. This would be unmoderated; they could have briefing materials but no on-stage advisers; and there would be, let's say, a 75-minute time limit. From conference committees, all of them have these skills now--and it's a Presidential skill too (when a deal has to be cut). Let's see each and all of them in action--and then we can each judge who's displaying the presidential qualities, who's compromising in needed necessary ways, who's too stubborn over trivia, who's too easily tossing over matters of principle and on and on. Who plays well with others.

Then, in the final 15 minutes, they could hold a joint press conference to announce and answer questions about the Democratic Presidential stimulus package.

Yes this would be a wonkfest. But it could be fascinating TV as well. And it would really tell the voters something about what these people would really be like as President. And the Republicans couldn't do the equivalent. And do we really need to see more cut and parry in response to Russert's and whoever's vapid questions? Instead, let's see some Presidential behavior and some real leadership--and then make up our own minds as to who'll be the best and next Democratic President.