Why Small Government Has Collapsed

Prospect writer says Dems can drown movement in bathtub

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 8, 2007 6:08 PM CDT

(Newser) – Democrats have never been so well positioned to sell big-government liberalism—as the other side looks pathetically out of step with Americans’ desires to expand health care and bolster infrastructure, says the American Prospect’s Paul Waldman. After the Minnesota bridge collapse, the public is ready for the party that says “we’re all in it together” rather than “we’re all on our own.”

The GOP candidates reject expanding state-sponsored insurance for children and Bush threatens to veto its growth—even though 84% of Americans want the program to cover all uninsured children. But Waldman seconds conservative Andrew Sullivan’s claim that Hillary Clinton is still shell-shocked from the anti-government 90s—and worries the Dems may not seize “the greatest political opportunity [they’ve] had in decades.”

Mabel Looby checks out a photo of Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) in a magazine held by the Senator during the National Association of Children's Hospitals Family Advocacy Day. The Looby and Horvath families and... (Associated Press)

President Bush, front, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, center, and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, rear, step off of Marine 1 during Bush's visit to Minneapolis, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007, to tour the site of... (Associated Press)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, President Bush, Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak and Gary Babineau, from left, tour the site of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007. Babineau,... (Associated Press)

The air traffic control tower at New Orleans Lake Lakefront Airport can be seen through a window of a building damaged by Hurricane Katrina, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in New Orleans. Permanent air traffic... (Associated Press)

President Bush makes a statement to reporters after touring the damage at the collapsed Interstate 35W bridge, seen rear, in Minneapolis, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (Associated Press)

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Prospect writer says Dems can drown movement in bathtub

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Party hopes to drum up anger over health bills

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Clinton Pitches Cap on Health Insurance

Proposes to limit premiums to 5-10% of median income

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Why Small Government Has Collapsed

Prospect writer says Dems can drown movement in bathtub

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

health care • Hillary Clinton • Democrats • health insurance • Americans • SCHIP • infrastructure • Andrew Sullivan • George W. Bush

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

GOP Wants to Resurrect That Town Hall Feeling

Party hopes to drum up anger over health bills

Obama Needs to Toughen Up on Health Care: Krugman

President is dooming reform effort with 'giveaways': Krugman

Daschle Will Play Hardball on Health Reform

Incoming HHS Secretary will avoid Hillary's pitfalls

Ranks of Uninsured Drop by 1M

Poverty rate unchanged, median incomes rise

Clinton Pitches Cap on Health Insurance

Proposes to limit premiums to 5-10% of median income

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?