GOP’s self-defeating myopia: Why its Obamacare mania is now a gift to Democrats

[DonViejo]

Turns out the political conventional wisdom around the Affordable Care Act is wrong -- and the right may be sorry

BRIAN BEUTLER

Here’s a riddle for anyone who thinks the politics of Obamacare are straightforward, and toxic for Democrats. How is it possible, in defiance of public rebuke, widespread misinformation and other headwinds, that insurance enrollment is surging in just about every state in the country?

I suppose it’s possible that these millions of new beneficiaries were all supporters of the law to begin with and don’t hint at more complex views. But I don’t think that’s right.

Over the past several days we’ve been presented with a wealth of evidence that the conventional theory of the Affordable Care Act and the coming midterm elections is flawed.

Going back to last year, before they knew how poor the rollout of the law would be, administration officials knew they’d have to circumvent traditional media to encourage enrollment. But perhaps because the rollout was so bad, the press has been less helpful to the cause of the ACA than the administration expected. Not that it’s the press’s job to encourage enrollment, exactly, but a profusion of glitches and delays has given reporters a lot to write about aside from subsidies and other ACA benefits.

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http://www.salon.com/2014/03/31/gops_self_defeating_myopia_why_its_obamacare_mania_is_now_a_gift_to_democrats/

[CTyankee]

1. I think most folks look back at what we had and don't want to return to that reality...

just pre-existing conditions alone is a real loser for the GOP politically. The very thought of that being brought back is pretty terrifying to anyone who has considered it. Dems are right to hammer that message home and it looks like they will and not turn and run from Obamacare in the midterms. That alone might be enough to keep the Senate...

[Vogon_Glory]

2. Agreed. A Return to the days of pre-existing conditions frightens me

Agreed. A return to the bad old days of seeking insurance while the insurance co's could use the "pre-existing conditions" ploy against you is scary. I'm over 55, healthy, but my family has a history of high blood pressure.

The GOP expects me to ignore my situation and vote for John Cornyn and his anti-Obamacare campaign ads?

What smoke are they blowing up whose posteriors?

[CTyankee]

3. The message "we can't go back" is a good one. I can't think of ANYONE who would want that

and yet the GOP continues to fail to come up with their own "plan," or at least one that is not shot through with holes. Ryan's "plan" was laughed out of the room and since then I haven't heard a single republican step forward and debate the hard issues about health care. They think just running ads with scary music and chanting about how "government health care" is somehow hell on earth just won't be enough any more.

As the saying goes, "you can't beat something with nothing..."