posted June 30, 2012 01:06 PM
'Obamneycare' is back
By NBC's Matt LoffmanNow that the Supreme Court has ruled the health care mandate is constitutional and Mitt Romney has renewed his commitment for a full repeal of the law, Democrats have continued to point out the similarities between Romney's Massachusetts law and the Affordable Care Act.
But some Republicans aren't on message.
Yes, it’s the return of 'Obamneycare.'
The term -- linking the Massachusetts plan with the federal one -- was first coined over a year ago by Romney’s opponent-turned-surrogate Tim Pawlenty during an appearance on Fox News Sunday.
“Well, you don't have to take my word for it. You can take President Obama's word for it. President Obama said that he designed Obamacare after Romneycare and basically made it Obamneycare,” Pawlenty said.
On a conference call this morning, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) got a little tongue-tied during his defense of Romney and a repeal of the law.
“There's only one candidate, Gov. Romney, who's committed that he will repeal the Obamney -- the Obamacare tax increase,” Jindal said. “He will repeal Obamacare as soon as he's elected.”
Though Jindal quickly correct himself, the damage was done. Just an hour later, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) had already seized on the comments to show the similarities between the two laws.
Speaking on a conference call organized by the Obama campaign, O’Malley said of the tax penalty for people who do not buy insurance, “It was a penalty provision that was also in Romneycare, or as Gov. Jindal just called it, Obamneycare.” http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/29/12484169-obamneycare-is-back
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