Obamacare fight has more than symbolism involved

By Kevin Price

Pundits on both the left and right are beginning to dismiss the battle on Obamacare as pure symbolism. We are told that “everyone knows” that if repeal passes in the House, it will not make it in the still Democrat controlled Senate. However, many of those crossing the aisle in the US House to repeal or none other than some of the Democrats who voted for it. Many of these barely survived with their political lives in 2010 and are more than a little anxious about 2012. They saw the massive rejection of the Democrats as largely (if not directly) related to the President’s healthcare bill. They want to find themselves in a much better position going into the next election cycle.

There is something odd going on in Washington, DC. Recently Barack Obama has called for new guidelines to determine what the impact regulations is having on business (of course, this followed one of the most massive increases in such in recent decades). Meanwhile, two very prominent members of the US Senate – Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Kent Conrad (D-) have announced they will not seek reelection in 2012. Many “safe” incumbents do not feel very safe any longer. As a result, in spite of their majority in the Senate, I expect at least some of these Democrats to support repeal. Principle is one thing, but we are talking livelihood here. Every two years roughly one-third of all Senators are up for reelection. In 2012, for every member of the GOP up, there will be two Democrats. These will be very nervous Democrats. Nancy Pelosi’s passionate battle cry of “you need to sacrifice your career for Obamacare” will likely fall on deaf ears in 2012. After all, it was true; many Democrats lost their seats in the last election cycle.

In the end, if there is no movement on Obamacare and it stays on the books, the stage will be set for the next election cycle. We will be able to clear identify who needs to be target. We are taking names in order to take prisoners. Furthermore, if Obamacare remains on the books through 2012, voter reaction should remain as strong as 2010. In fact, it could be in the Democrats’ political self interest to get rid of it today.

If the repeal makes it through the Senate (which is not likely); it will certainly not get past the President’s veto pen. It is still worth passing in the House.
With Obamacare remaining centerpiece through 2012 and know where these candidates stand, the situation will be perfect for serious change in 2013. I expect a new president and an anti-Obamacare majority in both Houses of Congress. By that time we will have all experienced the costs, taxes, and regulations of the President’s healthcare law, but none of the benefits. Those do not go into effect until 2014. This will provide the perfect scenario for repeal.

The fight against Obamacare today is an important one and will pave the way for future victories.

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Kevin Price
Host, Price of Business, M-F at 11 am on CBS Radio News
Frequently found on Strategy Room at FoxNews.com
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