I think that yes, Obamacare as a whole is unconstitutional and wrong.
Roberts, however, might have seen that judging it a tax would benefit the Republicans immensely as:
1. Its rejection doesn’t become a campaign issue, but rather Obama’s “no tax increase” promise becomes a lie.
2. The Republicans will overturn the sucker anyway.
3. The Republican base is motivated even MORE.
I predict that Obama will lose by 2%-3% more because of this decision. I have to wait until the debates are over to get a really accurate picture, but it looks like Romney’s gonna beat Obama by at least 55%-43%. The coattails should ensure a heavy Republican House and a 60+ in the Senate.
That night in November looks to be a nice one.
Boy would I be delighted to see that happen!
The thing is, at this point we can’t say that what Roberts has done will doom the Republicans, or that it will stick us forever with Obamacare. As you point out, it may help do the opposite.
And he has limited the Commerce Clause, which conservatives have been seeking for a very long time. He also did create this notion of the Court not being completely partisan - gaining some political capital for the Court, perhaps that capital will be needed at a different time.
I just can’t say. I do know my libertarian Alaskan gun toting lawyer of a husband who is about as liberal as Justice Thomas, thinks Roberts may have had his reasons, and that as a nation we bear the responsibility for Obama and his crap law.