Crossroads GPS, the policy arm of the American Crossroads PAC, says a key factor in successfully repealing Obamacare in 2013 will be emphasizing the importance of repeal during the 2012 election campaign. National Journal quotes Crossroads GPS president Steven Law:
‘“Typically during election years, both lawmakers and their constituents tend to be more focused on issues that need action so it’s a perfect window for us to be active this year,’ Law said. ‘Advocacy in the even number year can often have a determinative impact on policy making in the following year.’
“For instance, Law said, the group’s polling and focus groups showed that President Obama’s health care law remains generally unpopular. But, people don’t feel an imminent need to change it because they don’t know how it will affect them.
“Crossroads GPS, Law said, plans to start ‘communicating to people in much more specificity about how the law works and how it impacts them in order to build a foundation for dismantling it in 2013. If that case isn’t made before then, it will be hard to build the momentum to do so if we’re in a position in the White House and Congress to [do that].’”
More than anything else, what will determine success or failure in making that case and building that momentum is the degree to which the Republican presidential nominee chooses to make repeal a cornerstone of his campaign. Mitt Romney lists repealing Obamacare as one of the 59 points in his economic plan, but he doesn’t list it among the plan’s top-5 legislative priorities. Moreover, rather than saying he has learned from his mistakes, that he now knows we need an approach that focuses on lowering health costs (and preserving liberty), and that he believes what happens in liberal Massachusetts should stay firmly in Massachusetts, he has defended his health-care law in ways that could often double as defenses of Obamacare.
Rick Santorum lists repeal as a goal, but so far he hasn’t overtly emphasized it as a centerpiece of his message or agenda.
Newt Gingrich lists “repealing Obamacare” as the top legislative priority in his 21st Century Contract with America and has said, “I think that’ll be the campaign theme in September and October of next year.”
Whoever eventually becomes the nominee, let’s hope that’s the case.
