I am deeply worried about 2012. I'll keep things short.
I really think that these health care lawsuits will be the death of the Obama presidency. If it was just Judge Hudson's ruling, that would be easy to ignore. But it is not just him, there is a federal judge in Florida who will also most likely strike down the mandate, and throw in the fact that 8 years of a Bush presidency led to him appointing numerous federal appeals courts judges, I really do not see how this possibly helps the president.
I have noticed that some on this site have been quick to say, "Well, it was just one judge, no big deal the ruling won't stand." The problem with that is that the Appeals Circuit where the Virginia judge's ruling will be appealed is one of the most conservative in the country.
And that is not including a federal judge in Ohio, who like Judge Vinson in florida, who will also rule on this case, probably in early next year. All three are Republican appointed and all three refused to throw out the case against the mandate.
I have been expecting Judge Hudson to throw out the mandate for months now, so his ruling is no surprise. And I just keep thinking to myself if one, two or even three different appeals court strike down the mandate, how can that possibly help Obama win re-election ?
My sincerest hope is that the president wakes up and realizes that this mandate is likely to be struck down again and works with Republicans to repeal the mandate. If not, then his re-election is very questionable.