Why Republicans' health-care debacle will haunt them for years

The effects of this debate are likely to persist long after 2018

Sen. Mitch McConnell.
(Image credit: Illustrated | iStock, Netflix)

The July 4 recess is a time when members of Congress head back home to put on their "casual" clothes (khakis, patterned Oxford shirt) and hang with the regular folks, munching on hot dogs and walking in a few Independence Day parades. It's a chance to convene with the constituents, listen to their thoughts about the issues and challenges our nation faces, then head back to Washington revived and recommitted to this great experiment in self-rule.

But not this time.

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Paul Waldman

Paul Waldman is a senior writer with The American Prospect magazine and a blogger for The Washington Post. His writing has appeared in dozens of newspapers, magazines, and web sites, and he is the author or co-author of four books on media and politics.