Republicans have been trying for years to repeal the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare), without success. They had their best chance this week, but couldn’t make it happen. Realizing that they didn’t have the votes to pass their alternative plan, President Trump and Speaker Ryan pulled the plug.
Many Democrats/Liberals are rejoicing, and many supporters of a broad public healthcare plan consider it good news.
My guess is that a lot of Republicans are also (privately) rejoicing.
In a way, the failure to pass the Republican bill is a win for just about all factions. Consider:
The Freedom Caucus, which didn’t think the bill went far enough in repealing the ACA, can boast that they stuck to their principles and didn’t cave to pressure from the President.
The moderate Republicans can tell their more conservative constituents that they did all they could to repeal ACA, and at the same time not have to face the wrath of constituents who need the benefits that ACA provides. I’ll bet many of them are breathing a big sigh of relief.
Democrats of all persuasions might feel some vindication for all the roadblocks that the Republicans put up during the Obama administration. They will, however, still have to deal with the shortcomings of the ACA, and continued Republican efforts to replace it.
POTUS himself will of course put a good spin on the whole thing and consider it another win.
What do you think? Is this a win for you?