Will the Democrats be able to change things?  

Posted Nov. 2, 2007 – Folks voted for change in Washington and decided the Democrats might be able to make it happen.  It will be one year this month that the Dems have been in charge, and they’ve had their share of accomplishments and defeats. 

They’ve been able to get emergency legislation passed, like funding Katrina recovery, rebuilding the bridge in Minneapolis and providing assistance following the California wildfires. But major funding bills needed to run the government are in limbo or have been defeated by presidential veto.

The president has dug in deep when it comes to defeating the Democrats State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP).  It doesn’t look like either side is backing down.  It’s understandable; the Dems see this as an easy campaign ad against any Republican in 2008. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, (D- Md.) chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is revving up on this issue.  This week, he released a statement accusing Bush Republicans of “playing” with the bill.

“Republicans claim they want to negotiate in good faith.  Now, we learn that President Bush and congressional Republicans are more worried about protecting the tobacco lobby than providing health insurance to American kids,” Van Hollen said.  

Bush said this week he wouldn’t support a bill that raised tobacco taxes.  Congress has a lot of work to do, and it looks like Bush want’s a lot of compromise. 
 
“One year ago, the American people demanded a change of direction and the president and congressional Republicans are doing everything in their power to stand in the way of that,” Van Hollan said.

Pamela J. Gentry, Senior Political Producer