Evans and Novak Political Report
By Robert Novak and Timothy P. Carney

SCHIP: Democrats have expertly used this debate to put the White House on the defensive, rally their base and cultivate expanded support. Whether this skirmish will be relevant in a year, and whether Republicans can fight back, is still up in the air.

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), currently providing health insurance for poor children, would be expanded under Democratic legislation to include upper-middle-class "children" (up to age 21). Democrats, however, have very effectively cast the debate over the bill as one over insuring children or not. Mainstream media outlets repeat the Democratic framing, and very few Republicans are able to fight back effectively. Continue reading...