Stop Blaming GOP for Tripping Up ObamaCare

ObamaCare isn't exactly humming along seamlessly toward full implementation, and Republicans bent on derailing it are getting much of the blame. Sorry, writes Jonah Goldberg at USA Today, but it's the clumsy law itself at fault. Yes, House Republicans have voted against it dozens of times, but to little effect. Ask GOP activists fighting the law about their battle, and they'll be the first to admit failure. "In fact, the only person openly defying ObamaCare is Obama himself," writes Goldberg. His own department of Health and Human Services delayed a key mandate for employers, without any legal ground to do so.

Also, there's "something just plain weird about criticizing politicians for trying to get rid of a law that is, has been, and continues to be unpopular with Americans," writes Goldberg. He warns, however, that the GOP could overplay its hand by setting up a showdown on the debt ceiling over ObamaCare funding. "Forcing a debt crisis or government shutdown won't kill ObamaCare, but it will give Democrats a lifeline heading into the 2014 elections, which could have the perverse effect of delaying the day Republicans have the political clout to actually succeed in repealing this unworkable and unpopular law." Click for Goldberg's full column. (More ObamaCare stories.)