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Obama's Domestic Agenda Helps GOP
by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700
Copyright
October 31, 2014
All Rights Reserved.
Worried the U.S. Senate could fall to Republicans,
Democrats look to avoid connections to President Barack Obama. While the president’s approval
rating hovers at around 40%, it presents problems for Democratic candidates
trying to hang on as incumbents or challenge for new seats. Obama approval rating headed South
March 23, 2010 when he signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,
doing neither for most Americans.
While more than 15 million uninsured folks have signed up on Obamacare since
Oct. 1, 2013, at least 7 million have been added to Medicaid—federal health care
for the poor. One of the most
bitterly divided issues in American politics, Obamacare was approved by a
Democratic controlled Senate Dec. 24, 2009 without one Republican vote. Whatever the many flaws with
Obamacare, Republicans refuse to work with Democrats to fix it.
Giving corporations with over 50 employees the right to refuse
employer-based health insurance for employees working under 30 hours a week,
Obamacare gives employers a free ride while pushing part-timers into Obamacare. Because there’s no consensus between
Democrats and Republicans, the insurance industry has gone wild raising premiums
and gouging consumers. While it’s
true that Obamacare policies force insurance companies to provide a modicum of
care, it’s also true that they’re overcharging consumers. When state insurance exchanges
opened Oct. 1, 2013 to a dead federal website, the public reacted harshly. Premiums kept rising, giving the
insurance industry unprecedented profits, while gouging the government for
subsidies for cash- strapped subscribers.
All the while, the public—and the conservative media—kept hammering
Obamacare.
Now comes the Midterm elections where the U.S. Senate hangs in the
balance. No other issues continue
to hurt Democrats more than Obamacare.
Other issues like immigration reform or same-sex marriage look peripheral
to part-time workers forced to go on Obamacare because their employers exploited
the Obamacare loophole.
Seventy-eight percent of respondents in a new Associated Press-GfK poll cite
health care as their number one issue heading into Nov. 4. While the economy ranks at 91%, more
voters are swayed by health care because the economy is generally doing OK. With the stock market at records
levels, unemployment at seven-year lows and federal budget deficits cut in
third, most voters give Democrats good marks on the economy. Republicans tend to raise value
issues, like abortion or gay marriage, in specific districts that show little
tolerance for liberal issues.
When Obama put U.S. Syrian intervention back on Congress Aug. 31, 2013
after Bashar al-Assad allegedly used chemical weapons, he lost credibility. His former Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton agreed with ranking member of the Senate Armed Services
Committee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) about bombing Syria, enforcing a no-fly
zone. After ending the Iraq War
Dec. 15, 2011, Obama resisted the idea of another Mideast War, putting the
matter back on Congress. Since
Congress didn’t act on Syria, Obama let it ride until the Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria seized 30% of Iraq and Syria in early 2014. When ISIS threatened to massacre the
ancient Yazdi population in Northern Iraq, Obama finally acted Aug. 7
authorizing air strikes. Obama’s decision to strike ISIS improved his approval rating, shifting attention away
from domestic issues to foreign policy.
With less than one-in-three Americans liking Obamacare, the GOP has as
good case to make against Democrats.
Problems with Obamacare stem from the fact that it’s run through the
private insurance industry. Had
most the Senate approved the original Medicare-for-all bill in 2009, Obama would
be etched into Mt. Rushmore. As it
stands now, most Americans would like the ACA repealed, replaced with
Medicare-for-all or another single-payer system.
Since the GOP is committed to repealing, and not replacing Obamacare,
most Americans reluctantly accept it.
Heading to Nov. 4, Republicans harp on Obamacare, avoiding women’s
reproductive health issues, immigration reform or same-sex marriage. As long as the GOP focuses on
Obamacare, they divert attention away from a vastly improved economy and other
issues that should help Democrats in statehouses and Washington.
Heading into Nov. 4, the GOP needs to keep voters focused on
Obamacare, certainly not on the improving economy. All indicators point toward economic
growth, driving corporate profits and GDP growth in 2014. Diverting attention away from the
improving economy and onto Obamacare is the only fruitful GOP strategy. Democrats consistently beat
Republicans on social issues, especially when it comes to abortion and birth
control. While 57% of AP-Gfk
respondents say immigration reform is important, it’s not the primary factor
driving the election. Keeping GOP
voters focused on Obamacare drives them to the polls. With a national turnout expected
under 30%, it’s going to be difficult for Democrats to hold onto the Senate or
governors’ races. Whether admitted
to or not by Democrats, Obamacare has become a costly boondoggle, threatening to
upend control of the U.S. Senate.
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