The GOP’s campaign against Obamacare has been most effective when Republicans could claim, reasonably or not, that the law was taking something away from people: Canceling their plans, or penalizing them for going without insurance, or changing their doctor. But by the end of March, it’s likely that at least 8 million to 10 million people will be getting insurance through Obamacare.

At that point, the politics of loss aversion shift. Obamacare’s major changes to existing insurance plans will be finished. It will be the GOP’s promises of repeal that threaten what people already have. As Johnson says, “We have to recognize that reality. We have to deal with the people that are currently covered under Obamacare.”

That realization is how repeal-and-replace becomes criticize-and-reform. Johnson suggests ending the individual mandate and letting people buy less comprehensive plans. Sen. Kelly Ayotte wants to do more to promote health savings accounts.