The battle over the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is quickly turning into a preview of the larger battle to come. From a communications standpoint, Democrats must feel like this is a debate they can win. ("See, they don't have the heart to give healthcare to your children!") But perhaps it's not a battle opponents of an expanded SCHIP need to win outright. Holding off massive expansion of the program could simply place them at a more suitable starting point for the debate that's likely to shape the general election.

See our past coverage of SCHIP here.