There were predictions in September that the Supreme Court would likely rule on Obamacare by next June, and this news all but settles it. The timing will ensure that the health care law becomes the top issue of the election, perhaps even overshadowing unemployment.
Phil Klein, the expert on all matters Obamacare, is thrilled to hear that the case is coming out of the 11th Circuit of Appeals, which apparently has the top legal team out of all of the challenges:
This is great news for opponents of Obamacare, because the case, which comes out of the 11th Circuit of Appeals, is the best briefed and best argued of all of the various legal challenges to the health care law. It’s the case that opponents of the law won at both the district court and appellate level.
Former Solicitor General Paul Clement and Michael Carvin of Jones Day (who also has lots of experience before the Supreme Court) did a masterful job arguing the case before the 11th circuit. Georgetown Law Professor and constitutional law whiz Randy Barnett is also an advisor to the NFIB on the suit.
The White House sounded a confident note this morning, with Dan Pfeiffer predicting a win for his boss’ signature law. But they must be concerned. For a president who has pushed much less significant decisions off until 2013, it’s hard to believe they’re eager to roll the dice on Obamacare during an election year. But Republicans couldn’t have asked for better timing.
