Ok, all you pundits, columnists, and random blog posters. I've seen you all stating, repeatedly, that repeal will only help the Obama campaign. So, now, in light of today's events, how does the campaign recover from this blow? Drop Biden for Hillary? Have the Democratic controlled Senate join the House in repealing healthcare, then promise to do it all again in a second term? Bomb Iran? Put your analytic skills to work, because we all really want to know.
Some other random thoughts below.
When is a tax not a tax? Apparently, when the SCOTUS wants somebody to have standing so they can make a ruling.
I know they do these things in secret, but boy do I wish someone had been recording the reactions on all the justice's faces when Roberts, as Chief Justice, cast his vote last.
People used to talk about Obama playing 3D chess, politics on a higher level than the rest of us mere mortals. After today, and thinking about it a little, I say, beware John Roberts. This was brilliant in so many ways when you think about it. On the other hand, he is going to get beat up at recess.
As I type this, an ad is popping up to the right of my screen, telling me that I now need to donate money to the Republican party to repeal healthcare reform. Dailykos is all about mixed messages.
Anyone see an ad yet calling ACA the largest peacetime tax increase in American history? Cause it's coming.
I've said this before, but I strongly suspect we'd have a very similar looking law had McCain been elected in 2008.
So, the government can't make me eat vegetables, but can impose a hefty tax if I "choose" not to. Does this mean the government can't ban abortion, but can include a very large sales tax?
As of this writing, no one understands what the hell the medicaid portion of the decision means. And that very much includes me.
I don't watch a lot of cable news, so I can't identify him by name, but a talking head on MSNBC just referred to the Supreme Court ruling on the "morality" of the law. I threw up a little in my mouth, and cursed the gods that I am not better looking, cause I'd be a great news anchor.
I have to give credit to MSNBC, though. Both Fox.com and CNN.com at 10:05 AM EST had a banner saying the mandate had been found unconstitutional, MSNBC was still silent. Besides the banner, I don't think Fox wrote anything else and took the banner down pretty quickly. CNN was doing a live blog that confirmed the mandate was unconstitutional. Instead of just adding a little update later saying, wait, it is constitutional, but under the tax powers, not Commerce, (which I would have been okay with, shit happens when you are working live without a net), but they just went back and changed the original (date and time stamped) entry. Weak.
Saw Sen Rubio on CNBC. I'm not sure I'd ever heard him interviewed or speak before. I have to admit, he's good. For a guy who is loved by the right, he very much can sound like the most reasonable man in the room.
Final thought- do we get the first ruling from a court on the Constitutionality of requiring religious affiliated organizations to provide free contraceptives before or after the election?