I am sorry, the only way to make the process serious is to do serious and accurate research. The politics should be peripheral, especially from Republicans. We need folks who have done serious academic and policy work in taxation to head the panel, not lifetime politicians. The only politics I am willing to consider is not between Republican and Democrat, but between flat-tax or consumption tax. The only politicians on this panel should be proponents of either plan, not ones who will derail both. Expect no tax simplification.
Do you think these two guys are going to do all the work themselves? They will hire the kind of people you recommend. Then Mack and Breaux will work to get the support.