Monday 2 July 2012

A singular act of courage

The announcement of the Court’s decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius was clearly an unhappy duty for him. It’s easy to see why. By affirming the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act—the legislative cornerstone of Barack Obama’s Presidency—Roberts was disappointing those closest to him. Roberts was a professional Republican: a staffer in the Reagan and Bush I Administrations, a judge and a Justice thanks to Bush II. And here, alone and exposed, Roberts joined with the Court’s four liberals to dash the Republican Party’s most fervent wishes. It was a singular act of courage.  
Many right-wingers, in particular the Tea Party movement, have been hesitant about support for Romney because he introduced similar healthcare reforms when he was governor of Massachusetts. With the supreme court option closed off, some may now see a Romney presidency as the only way to block Obama's health reforms.
Romney and Congressional leaders such as John Boehner and Mitch McConnell were careful to avoid expressions of disappointment in the wake of the ruling. But one of Romney's early rivals for the Republican nomination, Michele Bachmann, admitted outside the supreme court she was "profoundly disappointed". 
The Guardian: Romney rakes in millions in wake of supreme court healthcare decision, June 28, 2012

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