As to standing tall with the president, consider what Americans have said when asked about candidates who support the law. In July 2010, 39% were more likely to vote for a candidate who supported ObamaCare, while 37% were less likely, according to the ABC/Washington Post poll. This month, 21% are more likely while 37% were less likely. In red states carried by Mitt Romney, 46% say they are more likely to oppose a candidate who backs the law while only 15% say they are more likely to support him. This is terrible news for those seven Democratic senators up next year in states won by Mr. Romney.

Even in blue states carried by Mr. Obama in 2012, 31% of voters are more likely to oppose a candidate who backs the health law while 25% are more likely to support them. All this explains the actions of 39 House Democrats who broke ranks with the White House on Friday to vote for a GOP proposal to allow people to permanently keep their health plans if they like them, never mind ObamaCare.

Among them were eight of the nine Democrats who represent districts carried by Mr. Romney. Two others are running for the Senate in purple states. Three represent districts carried by Mr. Obama but won re-election themselves with less than 50%.