By David Nather, CQ Staff

Is Congress about to become the House of Commons?

It might be if Sen. John McCain , R-Ariz., becomes president. In his speech in Ohio on Thursday, McCain revealed that he’s a fan of “Question Time” — in which the British prime minister answers questions in a raucous give-and-take with lawmakers — and said he’d like to subject himself to the same thing.

“I will ask Congress to grant me the privilege of coming before both houses to take questions, and address criticism, much the same as the prime minister of Great Britain appears regularly before the House of Commons,” McCain said.

On Capitol Hill, the idea drew plenty of lighthearted chuckles. Most had no idea McCain had proposed it. And some didn’t think it would go well for McCain, given the kinds of questions that, say, the Out of Iraq Caucus would lob at him.

“I don’t think so,” Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois said with a laugh.

Some of McCain’s GOP colleagues had doubts, too. Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana said it would violate the separation of powers for a president to come to the Hill and get that kind of a grilling.

“The reason the prime minister submits himself to questions is because he’s a member of Parliament. The president isn’t a member of Congress,” Pence said.

Others didn’t dismiss the idea outright, though. “It’s been an idea that’s been around for some period of time,” said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy , D-Mass., who supports Sen. Barack Obama , D-Ill., for president and who has worked closely with McCain. “It does work in Parliament,” Kennedy added.

Sen. Arlen Specter , R-Pa., called it a “very interesting idea” but noted that it would “materially alter the core relationship” between the two branches. “I’d want to think about it some more,” he said. “It’s pretty radical.”

Rep. Barney Frank , D-Mass., said an American “Question Time” might actually work well for McCain, since he’d always get the last word. “It wouldn’t work well for President Bush. For an articulate president, it would work to his advantage,” said Frank. (Ouch.)

And House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn , D-S.C., thought the sessions were a great idea — for a different president. “It’s innovative, and I’m all for innovation,” said Clyburn. “It sounds like a great idea for President Obama to do.”