Nashville Metro General, which treats 30% of the city’s uninsured, may be ready to close its doors because of lack of funding.  But Jim Cooper has his health care priorities — namely, how to contain "rising health care spending." 

Which, as Southern Beale informs us, Cooper will be discussing in Nashville this Saturday with — Karl Rove:

Karl Rove’s sole expertise is in politics–in particular, the politics of dirty tricks, wedge issues, and political manipulation. He’s a controversial figure, to put it mildly, facing his own barrage of scandals over the U.S. Attorney firings. Putting Karl Rove on a panel on health care costs, of which he knows nothing, is offensive and alienates anyone to the left of George W. Bush.

The invitation is here.  David Walker, head of the Pete Peterson foundation and noted Social Security slasher, is also on the bill at an event hosted by the Rand Corporation.  Cooper, who now has 16% approval among Democrats in his district on his handling of health care, should feel right at home.

Update:  Rove’s name is now off the invite, and per hate2haggle in the comments, Cooper’s office is telling people that Rove won’t be there.