On June 24, ABC News is going to devote an amazing amount of coverage to President Obama's healthcare reform plan.

ABC News’ Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer to Moderate a Primetime Conversation with President Barack Obama about the Future of the Nation’s Healthcare System

Special Edition of “Primetime” to Air from the White House Wednesday, June 24th at 10pm ET

“Questions for the President: Prescription for America” to Continue on “Nightline” at 11:35pm ET

“Good Morning America” and “World News” to Originate From the White House on Wednesday

“GMA” to Feature Exclusive Interview with President Obama

Unfortunately, amidst all of this coverage, Republicans aren't invited to present an opposing view. Ken McKay, RNC Chief of Staff:

Today, the Republican National Committee requested an opportunity to add our Party's views to those of the President's to ensure that all sides of the health care reform debate are presented. Our request was rejected. I believe that the President should have the ability to speak directly to the America people. However, I find it outrageous that ABC would prohibit our Party's opposing thoughts and ideas from this national debate, which affects millions of ABC viewers.

But, not to worry, ABC assures us it will include critical voices.

I hope we can all agree that a robust debate of health care issues and potential policies is in order.

To that end, ABC News announced plans to broadcast a primetime hour from the White House devoted to exploring and probing the President's position and giving voice to questions and criticisms of that position. We hope that any American concerned about health care will find our efforts to be informative, fair and civil.  

Second, ABC News prides itself on covering all sides of important issues and asking direct questions of all newsmakers -- of all political persuasions -- even when others have taken a more partisan approach and even in the face of criticism from extremes on both ends of the political spectrum.  ABC News is looking for the most thoughtful and diverse voices on this issue.   ABC News alone will select those who will be in the audience asking questions of the president.  Like any programs we broadcast, ABC News will have complete editorial control.  To suggest otherwise is quite unfair to both our journalists and our audience.

Third, there already has been extensive coverage of the upcoming health care debates, on ABC and elsewhere, and there will be much, much more. Indeed, we've already had many critics of the President's health care proposals on the air – and that’s before a real plan has even been put before the country.

We shall see, but you'd have to excuse the GOP for being skeptical when they haven't been invited to participate. You can bet that bloggers and media watchdogs like the Media Research Center will be watching.

Ironically, though ABC News says it welcomes debate, it has failed to allow anyone to comment on their pressroom blog -- comments on all posts are closed -- and it's very possible that trackbacks from blogs don't work either.

UPDATE!

Confirmed. Trackbacks are also disabled at the ABC News blog.