Therefore, I don’t know that there’s much risk that the mandate would be repealed unless it is done so by another administration or the Supremes. Sure, it may give some vulnerable D senators some cover if it makes it to Barry’s desk, but then it would ultimately be yet another noose around his neck in the 2012 elections after he were to veto it (sorry for the graphic imagery!) The best case scenario would be to have him veto it then have the whole damn thing thrown out by the Court, which is very plausible, once you remove the element of Senate passage. I’m pretty sure that would eliminate any chance of his reelection.

Back more than a year ago, I thought Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels had some of the best ideas.

My thoughts on Goal #1? We need to take the cost of health insurance out of employment. We need to show the American people that our expectations that employers will pay for everything helps to send jobs elsewhere.

Look at the extremes;

- Obama may feel very good about his chances with the Supreme Court. While I believe Judge Vinson’s opinion will be pretty hard to refute, it is not the only opinion a court would draw potential conclusions from. You can be sure Obama will use this as a lever with weak-kneed Republicans looking to strike a political deal (especially the Senate) on repeal. Don’t forget everyone is speculating about Kagan. But to believe that (her participation) is not being used as political leverage would be completely naive. Remember what Obama said about bringing a gun to a knife fight? Believe it.

- Conversely, Republicans and the states have a pretty effective tool in the de-facto injunction. Although, I am a little befuddled why the AG of Texas was on TV saying they would continued to prepare for implementation. Judge Vinson was pretty clear he expected the Executive Branch to comply with his order, which to me means no funds or other “preparations” can go towards implementation. If Republican’s (along with the states- somebody please send the Texas AG a memo) hold the line by stopping preparations as the appeals move forward, it is going to be a pretty effective strategy. Plus don’t forget we have a Senate vote on repeal that is going to be forced.

Ultimately I feel very good about this being struck down on a Constitutional basis. But we can also simultaneously effectively act to force a Senate vote (very quickly followed by select pieces of legislation to improve or health care system), try to stop wholesale implementation vis a vis Judge Vinson’s decision, stop funding (and use of funds by HHS, et al- BTW where is that legislation?) in Congress- this monstrous piece of economically destructive, rights diminishing foolishness will meet its end.

However, I’m not so optimistic about winning it in the SCOTUS….I think the only sure way to repeal this thing is to take back the congress and whitehouse in 2012.

I’d rather take my chances w/ the SCOTUS, and if we lose the battle there, repeal the thing through the legislative and executive branches.

I’m cautiously optimistic about the SCOTUS, however. Of course, I still believe in the fact that the right thing gets done ultimately.

Our goal shouldn’t be to fix ObamaCare, but to destroy it. Hopefully Republicans understand that.

If ObamaCare does survive all the court challenges and Obama is reelected (shiver) then we can talk about going back and reforming the bill. Otherwise, we fight to win completely until we’re out of options.