As was clear to pol watchers from day 1, the GOP had no idea what they were going to do with the ACA. They didn't have a plan and they didn't have agreement on even the blueprint forward. Regardless of what the P and GOP say, this was a complete and total embarrassment by a party that had one platform (other than stonewall O) and that was repeal the ACA.
The President has impossibly said he now wants to just sit back and watch the ACA implode.
Given this, should the Ds put forward a bill that fixes the ACA? In my opinion yes. If the ACA implodes in years forward, they will have a way to cover their ass. They can tout it as "we're the responsible party" and if the GOP stonewalls them the Ds can make it politically hurt. The ACA is gaining in popularity so it's not a third rail like it was.
The only finesse it requires is when to propose it. They can propose it now while the iron is hot and swoop in as the grown up party, but there is still a lot of attention on the GOP's shortcomings and Trump's Russia-love so you don't really want to distract from that. Maybe propose it next year when it's an election year? Make the GOP refuse to bring it to the floor when the spotlight is on them for being bad at their jobs?
Thoughts?
The President has impossibly said he now wants to just sit back and watch the ACA implode.
Given this, should the Ds put forward a bill that fixes the ACA? In my opinion yes. If the ACA implodes in years forward, they will have a way to cover their ass. They can tout it as "we're the responsible party" and if the GOP stonewalls them the Ds can make it politically hurt. The ACA is gaining in popularity so it's not a third rail like it was.
The only finesse it requires is when to propose it. They can propose it now while the iron is hot and swoop in as the grown up party, but there is still a lot of attention on the GOP's shortcomings and Trump's Russia-love so you don't really want to distract from that. Maybe propose it next year when it's an election year? Make the GOP refuse to bring it to the floor when the spotlight is on them for being bad at their jobs?
Thoughts?
