There's one word you really haven't heard much lately from the GOP, even with the Republican National Convention this week, and it's a marked omission compared to the last three elections: Obamacare. It's just a lot easier—and less complicated these days—to put a little less focus on "repeal."
Few people were covered under President Barack Obama's health care law when the GOP held its last convention in 2012. Now, Donald Trump's plan to replace the program would make 18 million people uninsured, according to a recent nonpartisan analysis.
Reviled as it may be, Obama's law has changed the nation in ways that many may not want reversed. It means people don't have to worry about being denied coverage due to medical problems, or fear policies that max out while a patient is undergoing chemotherapy. Millions who couldn't afford health insurance now have financial help.
Capturing the White House would finally let Republicans make good on their vow "repeal and replace" the health care law. But ripping apart the social safety net would be politically self-defeating, a new dilemma for the GOP.
There's also the small problem that Republicans have been completely and utterly incapable of that second "replace" part. It's been six years. Six. And something like 60 attempted votes in the House to repeal. Countless promises that this week, next week, next month, next session the Republicans will have their plan, and everyone will agree on it, and it will be fabulous.
And they’re still doing it! President Trump will have a plan to sign, they say. "He is going to rely heavily on the Republican House and the Republican Senate to put substantive bills on his desk,” said Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, chair of the GOP platform committee. Paul Ryan is going to be the one to do it! Never mind that in six years, all he's been able to come up with is an outline.
No wonder they'd rather talk about scary brown people this time around.