Are Republicans losing their nerve on repeal?

This is the Democrats’ best play, but Republicans need to recognize how weak the Democrats’ hand really is. First, most of the benefits in the bill don’t kick in until 2014 — three election cycles from now. The charge that Republicans are “taking away your benefits” will hardly ring true for Americans who don’t yet enjoy those benefits. Second, with all the backroom deals the Democrats cut to pass their bill, including with the pharmaceutical industry and insurance industry, it should be hard for them to argue that Republicans are the ones in bed with big business. Third, recent polls show that large majorities of Americans think the legislation will push the country further into debt, make the quality of their own care worse and increase their own health-care costs. There is no danger in pledging to repeal a bill that Americans believe will explode the deficit, lower the quality of care and increase care costs for many.

Finally, Democrats face a massive enthusiasm gap on health care. Polls show that supporters of Obamacare are lukewarm, while the opponents are vehement. Many see Obamacare as just one element of a larger campaign by the Democrats to transform our country in the image of Europe by dramatically expanding the size and reach of the federal government. They want Republicans to repeal those efforts, not simply tinker around the edges.