Obamacare backlash: Who'll pay in November?
The historic health care bill is splitting Americans, say polls. Who will voters reward — and punish — in the November midterms?

Democrats are rejoicing over the landmark health care reform package, but their exultation could be short-lived if the party can't sell its new law to a skeptical, sometimes hostile, public. Both Democrats and Republicans are insisting health care reform will help them politically in November midterm elections, but history suggests otherwise. (Watch a Fox Business report about health reform's role in the November elections.) Here's a look at who might lose out in November, and why:
Democrats: Dems could find their November losses in 2010 even more brutal than the 1994 "elephant stampede" that followed a failed attempt at health reform, predicts Bill Bennett in National Review. Democrats have the same ethics and fiscal problems as in 1994, but this fall they'll confront the consequences of passing a deeply unpopular health bill through "constitutional perversion." (As The New York Times points out, “Never in modern memory has a major piece of legislation passed without a single Republican vote.")
"We will show them in November what liberty means"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Republicans: The GOP thinks making 2010 a "shrill and angry" referendum on health care reform is a winning strategy, says Mark Halperin in Time, but they're "playing right into the Democrats' hands." Screaming about repealing the "socialist" ObamaCare may rally "die-hard conservatives," but the GOP needs a broader coalition to win, and some traditional allies, like business, actually like health care reform.
"Can the GOP succeed by running against health care?"
Obama: Securing the health care overhaul is a big win for Obama, says David Sanger in The New York Times, but he's also "lost something — and lost it for good": his winning promise of a rational, "post-partisan" Washington. Passing a huge bill with only one party on board could be "political suicide," especially if he loses Democratic control of Congress this fall, and any remnants of his "mandate."
"A big win for Obama, but at what cost?"
Mitt Romney: Romney was waiting for the midterm results before announcing his 2012 presidential intentions, says Josh Marshall in Talking Points Memo. But if the GOP runs against ObamaCare, it's a "no-brainer" that Romney can't be their standard-bearer. He's making some "pretty over-the-top" accusations about the health-care bill, but it's essentially the same reform package he enacted as governor of Massachusetts.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Marya E. Gates' 6 favorite books about women filmmakers and directors
Feature The film writer recommends works by Julie Dash, Sofia Coppola, and more
-
Donald Trump's jumbo-sized corruption | May 14 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Wednesday's editorial cartoons feature artificial intelligence, Democratic attempts to reach rural voters, a tariff deal with Xi Jinping, the U.S. economy, tariffs, and habeas corpus.
-
Israel-US 'rift': is Trump losing patience with Netanyahu?
Today's Big Question US president called for an end to Gaza war and negotiated directly with Hamas to return American hostage, amid rumours of strained relations
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy