Why Obama Wants SCOTUS To Knock The Individual Mandate Now, Not Latter
Politico offers of its simple logic-derived reasons for Obama to send up its healthcare reform bill.
There are the typical reasons you’d expect: (1) with a second less likely, better to have a pro-health reform Justice Dept. defend it (but really, its seems every Repub. just going to repeal the whole thing, so this seems a bit silly); (2) give better predictability to the major players who will feel an impact.
But they miss the obvious reasons: there’s absolutely no political downside.
Yes, as they point out, reminding voters of healthcare won’t help Obama—but these voters were unlikely to vote for him anyway, and—really—this is an election about the economy.
But, just think, if after this hubbub Obama is vindicated, Americans reactions—or at least swayables—may soften.
And, the real upside, is if the SCOTUS shoots down the mandate at the dawn of the true election season.
Why’s that? Obama can walk forth to the American people and say, ‘I’m tired to solve a big problem, listened to the judgement of SCOTUS, accept and move on.’ Suddenly, a dangerous Republican arrow is dulled; and if they bring it up in talking points, Obama looks presidential while the Republican nominee looks petty.
And what does Obama lose? A court judgement that he would have lost anyway 1-2 years latter.
