Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

This Election Just Became About Obamacare
The Weekly Standard ^ | June 28, 2012 | Jeffrey H. Anderson

Posted on 06/28/2012 11:26:57 AM PDT by Tarantulas

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the constitutionality of Obamacare, the principal choice now facing Americans on November 6 will be whether to keep Obamacare or to repeal it. The question is a binary one, and the answer — expressed almost entirely through their presidential vote — will go a long way toward determining the future course of this great nation.

Yes, the economy is extremely important; and, yes, Obamacare is hurting the economy. But the reason why this election is the most important since the Civil War is not because Mitt Romney would make a far better steward of the economy than President Obama (though he would). Rather, it’s because we are about to decide whether to put what will soon be one-fifth of our economy under the control of the federal government; whether to funnel previously unthinkable amounts of power and money to Washington; and whether this nation conceived in liberty will continue to prioritize liberty.

It is understandable why President Obama has no interest in framing this election as a referendum on Obamacare. His party already suffered perhaps its worst defeat since the 19th century thanks to his centerpiece legislation. With the Supreme Court’s ruling now behind him, he will have even less incentive to remind voters about Obamacare going forward. As far as he’s concerned, the less the American people think about it, the better.

This means, of course, that the more they think about it, the better it will be for Mitt Romney. It also means (of course) that Romney should encourage them to think about it, reminding them at every turn that this election isn’t merely — or even principally — about the economy; that it’s about something bigger; that we need to repeal Obamacare and replace it with real reform. And he should convey to them what real reform would look like, thereby bringing into the fold those independents who don’t want to go back to the pre-Obamacare status quo. He should start playing to win people’s votes, instead of merely trying not to lose them.

Yes, the fate of Obamacare will be the most important outcome of this election. On some level, the American people know this. There’s a reason why Romney gets standing ovations simply for mentioning repeal.

The question is whether either candidate will convey that he knows what this election is really about. Obama can’t say it’s about Obamacare — even though that’s what he considers it to be about — because he’ll lose if he does. Romney so far hasn’t said it’s about Obamacare — perhaps because that’s not what he considers it to be about — even though he’ll likely win if he does.

Regardless, the Court has cleared the field. The stakes are historic. The citizenry will decide.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: election; obama; obamacare; scotus
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-66 next last
To: Secret Agent Man

Well, I see the same Obama in 2008 as I do for 2012. He hasn’t changed for me ... :-)

But, no matter what I think, it’s still a possibility that he can win. And for me, the “proof is in the pudding” - namely, “we’ll see when the election happens.”


41 posted on 06/28/2012 12:11:40 PM PDT by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: History Repeats

>> Where is the America I knew as a child?

She’s being abused. We need to help her.


42 posted on 06/28/2012 12:18:46 PM PDT by Gene Eric (Your Hope has been redistributed. Here's your damn Change!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Buckeye McFrog
The Catholics still have law suits against Obamacare on the infringment of religious liberties.

Those parts of Obama care come into affect in August.

43 posted on 06/28/2012 12:19:31 PM PDT by mware (By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator
“You have to learn to live with your political choices.” or something similar? That sounds like a slap in the face of Democrats. Oh so now deciding to go full-bore Socialism is just a "political choice"?

And now we have to learn to live with Roberts' choice.

According to his logic, the federal government is empowered to issue a mandate, provided the mandate is disguised as a financial punishment.

What a fine legacy (for a liberal). The socialist-Republicans (the Bush's in particular, since he is their creation), must be very pleased with themselves today.

44 posted on 06/28/2012 12:19:46 PM PDT by BlatherNaut
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Star Traveler

I understand, he is not different to me either.

What is key, and it IS a fact, is that now in 2012 a whole lot more people see him differently, and not in a good way for him. A whole lot more. And they are pissed about this. They are pissed at how badly things have been mismanaged the last few years under this putz who is recycling speeches, still blaming Bush, and still can’t speak without a damn teleprompter.

Many, many people have woken up and see him the way you and I do. they are not happy and are not votes for him like they may have been the last time.


45 posted on 06/28/2012 12:20:37 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I can neither confirm or deny that; even if I could, I couldn't - it's classified.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: History Repeats

I don’t know why anyone would have their faith shaken by this. We have become a Godless nation. Babies are aborted by the millions, sin is now the norm. We are being chastised. Look what happened to the Israelites when they left the path of God, they were usually overtaken by some enemy. This is happening to us. We are all complicit to some degree.


46 posted on 06/28/2012 12:20:37 PM PDT by diamond6 (Check out: http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/home.php and learn about the faith.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: ctdonath2

Obamacare IS the economy. The uncertainties,the expenses are already hindering any hope of recovery. Today’s stock market action tells us that unemployment will rise with this ruling. This ruling will hurt Obama and all his minions come November.


47 posted on 06/28/2012 12:21:23 PM PDT by wiggen (The teacher card. When the racism card just won't work.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Tarantulas

I do now see you make a good point. Although I don’t if that alone is enough to ensure victory for Romney.


48 posted on 06/28/2012 12:21:23 PM PDT by Sam Gamgee (May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't. - Patton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Sam Gamgee
Romney will have to explain how he supported Romneycare.

The only people beating that drum are "conservative" Mitt-haters.

Romney will only need to continue saying "I am against Obamacare and I will repeal it on Day 1."

49 posted on 06/28/2012 12:54:03 PM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: rogue yam

Romney will have to explain how he supported Romneycare.

“The only people beating that drum are “conservative” Mitt-haters.”

~ ~ ~

I don’t hate Mitt, I pray for his conversion. Mitt is
just like Obama, both men are pro-abortion and pro-sodomy.

Same question....

How will Mitt ever explain away that abortion is in Romneycare and out of the other side of his mouth, Romney says he is going to do away with Obamacare which was modeled after his plan, Romneycare.


50 posted on 06/28/2012 1:03:52 PM PDT by stpio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Tarantulas

“John Roberts just won the election for Romney.”

At what price?


51 posted on 06/28/2012 1:07:24 PM PDT by Tublecane
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

BUMP!


52 posted on 06/28/2012 1:07:43 PM PDT by Graewoulf ((Dictator Baby-Doc Barack's obama"care" violates Sherman Anti-Trust Law, AND U.S. Constitution.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: stpio

You Mitt-haters have now gone from being pro-Obama to being pro-Obamacare.

I have had enough of your psychotic lies masquerading as piety.


53 posted on 06/28/2012 1:09:24 PM PDT by rogue yam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: Tarantulas

ROMNEY: ADMIT ROMNEYCARE WAS WRONG!

Then you can legitimately attack 0bamaCare.

(Jeez; Republicans picked the worst possible candidate to attack 0bamaCare: It’s intellectual father, The Mittster.)


54 posted on 06/28/2012 1:17:35 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (Individual Liberty, R.I.P, 6/28/2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kevkrom
"tell me how we can be anything other than serfs?"

We're SLAVES. Serfs often retain some limited rights to their production.

55 posted on 06/28/2012 1:20:40 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (Individual Liberty, R.I.P, 6/28/2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Miltie

Charles Hughes Smith calls the middle class “tax donkeys”.

I guess Chief Justice Roberts agrees.

If the donkeys don’t start kicking their masters it will be a long hard ride.


56 posted on 06/28/2012 1:35:39 PM PDT by cgbg (No bailouts for New York and California. Let them eat debt.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: History Repeats
Can we really ever get it back?

I DON'T KNOW. But, I"LL DIE TRYING.

57 posted on 06/28/2012 1:58:04 PM PDT by VideoDoctor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Sam Gamgee
Why does he have to explain anything?

He was right the individual mandate is not constitutional based on the commerce clause.

Like most Americans, including most Republicans, he supports "major goals" of the bill but talks about it being flawed and in need of repeal and replacement.

He has basic credibility that the issue matters to him (good for not scaring moderates) in ways no other Republican really does because he did do RomneyCare.

58 posted on 06/28/2012 2:17:38 PM PDT by newzjunkey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: CPT Clay
Obamacare was passed by reconciliation and it will die the same way... with out 60 votes in the Senate.

Hmmmm. Sounds interesting. Can you explain just how that would work?

59 posted on 06/28/2012 3:00:22 PM PDT by InterceptPoint (TIN)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Tarantulas

The election needs to be about the economy. The economy is worse than Obama predicted without Stimulus precisely because the Stimulus was harmful. Employers are still not creating jobs because ObamaCare is a job-killing economic train wreck. It’s still the economy; ObamaCare is just one more facet of that central issue.


60 posted on 06/28/2012 3:10:13 PM PDT by Pollster1 (A boy becomes a man when a man is needed - John Steinbeck)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-66 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson