SCHIP Polling Should Worry Democrats

Go read the story over at Rob Bluey's site:

• 52% agree with Bush that most benefits should go to children in families earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level — about $41,000 for a family of four. Only 40% say benefits should go to such families earning up to $62,000, as the bill written by Democrats and some Republicans would allow.

• 55% are very or somewhat concerned that the program would create an incentive for families to drop private insurance. Bush and Republican opponents have called that a step toward government-run health care.

As the House and Senate prepare to vote on a veto override -- one that's certain to fail -- it's worth noting that Americans are closer to the president's position on this. It's enough to make you wish he was not so weak as a spokesman; he might otherwise be able to challenge the expansion more effectively.

More broadly, the lack of support for an expansion of health care that would help needy children -- the Democratic line -- should worry the Democrats. The Democratic campaigns are operating that the era when big government was over has concluded. They saw themselves as free to advocate bigger spending and higher taxes. But if even this program can't get a majority in support -- before the question of how to pay for it is even broached -- what does that suggest about the proposals of Democratic candidates for president? Maybe America isn't ready for a return to the Carter era.