Did Obama really play things this badly?

[kenny blankenship]

22. I agree, he could play this for HUGE sympathy and direct all anger at the Pukes

People WANT health care to be sorted out. Desperately. They don't want the govt to kick them into the clutches of the insurance mafia, and they therefore rightfully distrust and resent the Individual Mandate. But they know the traditional system is outmoded and breaking down even if they are unsure about how&why it is happening. The Individual Mandate is nothing more than mortar stuffed in the cracks of the traditional private insurance system - a last ditch attempt to shore it up and make it stronger with the force of law. Private insurance screwing you over, taking all your money giving you shitty care? Too bad, now it's the LAW. Kneel before your Masters. You cried out for Reform and we gave you a Mandate: love the System as it is, or we sick the IRS on your ass. Foisting that on America was incredibly stupid. But if it is struck down in court then Obama can point to the Republicans as getting in the way of anything better, and obstructing all the good points of the ACA. Politically a loss like this can be a positive, and if he chose to become A LEADER he could actually seize on this issue and bring real reform to America. That would be very out of character for him, but I believe people can change.