So what do Republicans do when seven million (and counting) people sign up for Obamacare after months of GOP prophesies of doom?
Here's one answer, from The Hill:
GOP gets O-Care angst
Anxious Senate Republicans are worried party leaders are focusing too much this election year on ObamaCare and not enough on jobs and the economy.
In the words of Nevada Sen. Dean Heller:
If we think we’re going to win or lose the majority based on one single piece of legislation ... I think we’re mistaken.
And a party strategist:
“Republicans need to be very careful to sketch out a positive vision for the fall as part of their election strategy. If they’re viewed as too focused on ObamaCare and saying bad things about Obama-Care, it’s a very dour message and not likely to bring over swing voters,” said John Ullyot, a former Senate aide and GOP strategist.
Meanwhile, Politico
carries the same story, with the headline:
Obamacare critics: Homina, homina, homina
And Mitt Romney's former top policy advisor even said Republicans need to start accepting Obamacare's reality:
[Lanhee] Chen said it was time for Republicans to start thinking about whether there are parts of Obamacare that they can “keep in place and make better in terms of conservative health care reform” — like the health insurance exchanges and the future tax on generous health insurance plans, which he said could open the door to conservative goals like giving people their own tax break for health coverage.
“There are things in the law that create opportunities for conservatives, and they need to start embracing them,” said Chen.
Yes, Republicans still say they are are focused on repeal. But they won't be as loud about it as they were just a few weeks ago, because nothing shuts up a politician more quickly than the realization that he or she is on the losing side of an issue. And with seven million people and counting enrolled in Obamacare, it's clear that Republicans are on the losing side.