NAVEL FORCE: Belly dancers Angela Petry (left) and Jennifer Carpenter-Peak join the circus in front of the US Supreme Court yesterday just before the justices issued their ruling. (
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WASHINGTON — Don’t tell Mitt Romney he was on the losing end of the Supreme Court’s ObamaCare ruling yesterday.
The surprise decision that upheld most of the historic health-care act also breathed fresh life into the Republican candidate’s run against President Obama and gave new vim to his rallying cry of “Repeal ObamaCare.”
“What the court did not do on its last day in session, I will do on my first day if elected president of the United States. And that is, I will act to repeal ObamaCare,” Romney declared from a Washington rooftop with a view of the Capitol behind him.
That was music to the ears of those in Romney’s conservative base, many of whom were thunderstruck that the predominately conservative court sided with Obama and his Democratic allies.
The ruling immediately energized conservative voters in support of Romney, a former Massachusetts governor.
More than 13,500 supporters rushed to contribute to Romney, pouring more than $1.5 million into his campaign coffers within hours of the court ruling, according to the campaign.
In his rooftop speech, Romney railed against what he called the “bad policy” contained in ObamaCare.
“I’m asking the people of America to join me,” Romney said. “If you don’t want the course that President Obama has put us on, if you want instead a course that the Founders envisioned, then join me in this effort. Help us. Help us defeat ObamaCare. Help us defeat the liberal agenda.”
The decision — which declared the Affordable Care Act a massive new tax — gave even more ammunition for anti-tax Republicans to fire at Obama.
“Romney and the GOP can rightfully say that this is a massive tax increase and will impact hardworking Americans,” said GOP political strategist Ron Bonjean. “By adding the health-care tax to economic hardships people are feeling, it will quickly become a rallying cry to win over independents in battleground states.”
The ruling nevertheless gave a huge win to Obama. It reaffirmed his signature legislative accomplishment, giving him bragging rights on the campaign trail.
“It enhances his presidential stature, and he always does better when projecting strength,” Democratic strategist Steve Murphy said.
Obama said in a speech after the ruling that the talk about “who won and who lost” was just a Washington game.
“Whatever the politics, today’s decision was a victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold it,” he said.
The president said the ruling should put the debate over ObamaCare to rest.
“What we won’t do — what the country can’t afford to do — is refight the political battles of two years ago, or go back to the way things were,” Obama said. “It’s time for us to move forward.”
But Republicans were not ready to give up the fight. Along with Romney, House Speaker John Boehner repeated his calls to repeal the act because of its impact on the economy.
“Republicans stand ready to work with a president who will listen to the people and will not repeat the mistakes that gave our country ObamaCare,” Boehner said.