“You think losing the entire country in a complex policy-wonk debate about the merits of “the individual mandate” would be more effective than simply “repealing ObamaCare?”
Well it isn’t really complex as long as too much isn’t tossed up at once.
People know that they are now required to buy insurance under penalty of law. This was the provision that was taken to the high court because it was so out there that it would have been an easy win. The provision that people on both sides thought was sure to get taken down. And was until Roberts flipped.
“Not many people are as informed as those on this forum. Nobody I know who has seen these ball-busting monthly premiums and astronomic deductibles has ever said to me, If not for that individual mandate.... No. What I have heard quite often however is, F***ing ObamaCare!”
But then you run into problems. While the (I-M) is almost universally despised (and few Dems would dare defend it), you now have the whole nebulous Obamacare that unfortunately becomes mishmash of stuff almost everyone hates and stuff that the Democrat’s toadies can go and appeal emotionally to the 48% that will then demand that the “evil GOP” not “take away my healthcare” and thus supporting Obama’s vetoes. This route is going to be long, and Democrats would love a long fight that gives them plenty of room to maneuver and stall until the public gets tired and disinterested.
Now Obama is likely going to veto it regardless of how it’s done, so it isnt even a discussion of that. It is more of a plan as to how the veto will be played with the unfortunately significantly large LIVs population.
Either:
A) “Obama saved my healthcare”. (by vetoing a total repeal)
B) “Obama is forcing me to buy health insurance or else I get a visit by the IRS”.
(by vetoing the individual mandate repeal)
Or in a miracle...
C) Obama signs it, and the whole law collapses.
Oh, going after just the individual mandate would be complex. You would have weeks upon weeks of media shills, spinners, lobbyists, editorialists, you name it, "analyzing" the proposal, debating what it would mean for this group or for that group -- Will the judiciary get involved? Can the rest of the law survive without the mandate? If so, what parts...?
By the time it's finished, nobody in the country would have a clue.
But "Repeal ObamaCare." Not complex. All or nothing. Simple enough for even some LIVs to understand.