UncleJesse Loc: Hazzard Co, GA

It used to be that conservatives were united and firm about repealing Obamacare.

Instead, now that they're in power, they're just doing small changes that will end up being vetoed. I guess it's because more and more v**ers are now insured by obamacare? Maybe they're afraid it will hurt the campaign coffers?

Repeal “is not a possibility,” says George Scangos, chief executive officer at biotechnology company Biogen Idec Inc. “They would somehow have to explain to millions of people that they will lose health insurance.”

The rumor from lobbyists and aides is that the conservative Senate won't try to block bills by tying obamacare funding restrictions to them.

The bigger focus than obamacare, according to aides and lobbyists, is to prove that the GOP Congress can govern. This in anticipation of a '16 p**********l bid to secure a conservative spot in the White House.

“If we can show that we can lead, we might get an even bigger majority in 2016. We might get the White House,” the Republican aide said. “Republicans can say, ‘See, we were right? Put us in charge, and we’ll repeal the whole damn thing.’”

But Brent Bozell, the leader of the Tea Party group "For America", thinks that conservatives that back down to a repeal strategy will create a schism in the GOP.

Whereas Larry Levitt, VP of the Kaiser Family Foundation says, “Up until now, it’s been that any move by critics to improve the law, from their perspective, was almost seen as admission of defeat,”.

I guess many now feel comfortable only talking against obamacare but not walking the talk.

It appears that many conservatives, now that they're in power, are doing exactly the opposite of what they campaigned against and will not touch obamacare with any law or budget bill threat other than what they know is a superficial public relations stunt - - one that is all talk because it will be formulated to be vetoed by the president.

maryla

Sad shame, isn't it???

greyfox Loc: western mass.

You must feel they will enjoy seeing their premiums rise and deductables skyrocket---there has to be a better way!!

UncleJesse Loc: Hazzard Co, GA

I think they will milk that part up to the '16 e******n, all the while making the argument that they must have full control of the WH and Congress. I wonder if when that happens, what the excuse will be then? Probably something like, "we can't get bipartisan agreement on what to replace it with". Typical politicians.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

For all of it's admitted flaws, The Affordable Care Act was a step in the right direction. The GOP has a chance to FIX those flaws, if they choose to. Unfortunately, after all the negative rhetoric and fear mongering, of the last 5 years, it would take a very big person to own up to the exaggerations and do the fixes - which would be best for the country. There aren't nearly enough "big people" in the Congress for that to happen, so we'll only see itty bitty, low key steps - on anything except the GOP's "grand agenda" - all designed to enhance the GOP's chances in 2016 - instead of being BEST for the country.

That's just terribly sad and pathetic.

Liberty Tree

Any changes the GOP puts forth will be vetoed by Obama unless they just let him dictate any changes.

greyfox Loc: western mass.

Give them a chance---you have had plenty of time to see the mess the Dems created without ONE Republican v**e. I think that is terribly sad and pathetic!!