"Obamacare" Upheld

Today, the United States Supreme Court delivered one of it's most historical and controversial decisions since the 1973 Roe v. Wade verdict. In a narrow 5-4 decision, the Court upheld the president's health care law with Chief Justice John Roberts (a George W. Bush nominee) siding with the majority. I think it is safe to say that many Americans were shocked and surprised that the individual mandate portion of the law requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance or face a fine was not struck down. In upholding the individual mandate, the Court essentially stated that the fine that could be imposed if someone doesn't purchase health insurance ultimately amounts to a tax, and since it would be considered a tax, the mandate would be protected under the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution since Congress has the power to tax the American people. Given that the decision came in an election year, it will be interesting to see how today's ruling will impact the outcome of the presidential race in November. Governor Romney has made no secret about the fact that he will work to repeal "Obamacare" starting on day one if he is elected. I've always believed that Governor Romney would have a difficult time attacking the president on this issue in the campaign due to the fact that he implemented a similar law in Massachusetts while he was governor of the state. Many have stated that "Romneycare" served as a model for the president's health care plan.. I could see today's decision motivating many Americans who oppose the law to turn out in November for Governor Romney. Likewise, supporters of the law could also rally in large numbers and reward if you will the president with a second term in office. Over the next few months, Governor Romney will most likely argue that today's decision amounts to nothing more than a huge tax increase on the lower and middle class. To win votes on this issue specifically, Romney really has no choice put to turn it into an economic issue. President Obama on the other hand, when referring to Governor Romney on the campaign trail will most likely say, look, here's the guy who wants to take away your health care. The president will most likely highlight what he views as the benefits of the law while campaigning as well. For example, President Obama will no doubt remind voters that his health care law will enable people who were previously denied coverage for a pre-existing condition the ability to have health insurance. Whether you agree or disagree with today's decision, it was no doubt a monumental one. In upholding the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court handed President Obama a victory that has eluded many of our nation's greatest presidents who had pushed for the same type of law while they were in office. Today's decision by the Supreme Court, like so many decisions of the past, will have to endure the test of time to see if history will judge it favorably or not. Only time will tell.

Courting the Latino Vote

President Obama and Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney both spoke to the National Association of Latino Elected Officials this past week in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It comes as no surprise that both candidates made an appearance at last week's meeting, given the fact that Latino voters are the fasting growing voting bloc in the United States, and will no doubt have a major influence on the outcome of this year's presidential race. A number of key swing states (Florida, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona just to name a few) have relatively large Latino populations. Most polls suggest that the President has a commanding lead (nearly 2 to 1) over Governor Romney amongst these voters. If he is to win in November, Mitt Romney will need to make significant inroads with Latino voters between now and then. Governor Romney is well aware that he needs Latino voters on his side in greater numbers, but can he pull it off? One argument that Mr. Romney has made, and will no doubt continue to make is that the President has taken the Latino vote for granted. In other words, since the President won big among Latino voters four years ago, he thinks the same will be true this time around as well. Governor Romney has also tried appealing to Latinos by arguing that the President has done nothing to improve their economic well-being over the last three and a half years. Mr. Romney has also criticized the President for not acting sooner on the immigration issue, saying the President had a Democratic Congress his first two years in office yet was unable to pass comprehensive immigration reform. All of these are valid arguments that Romney can make to try and persuade Latino voters during this year's campaign. However, the President has some arguments to make as well as to why Latino voters should back him again in 2012. Governor Romney has stated that if he were elected, he would veto the Dream Act. President Obama has supported passage of the Dream Act for quite some time now. The Dream Act would provide a path to citizenship for those young illegal immigrants in the United States (through no fault of their own) who have completed high school and are planning on enrolling in college or enlisting in the military. This piece of legislation, if approved by Congress would give tremendous hope to many young people who could become productive members of American society. While support of the Dream Act will no doubt win the President a lot of support among Latinos, it might very well be the President's own background that solidifies that support. Although I can't speak for Latino voters, I would have to assume that many Latinos would have an easier time relating to President Obama rather than Mitt Romney. That ability to relate to voters, and them being able to relate to you as a candidate is one of the most important factors in getting elected. While Latinos will not be the only voting constituency that will decide this year's presidential race, both candidates would be wise to continue courting these voters if one wants to remain at, or the other wants to move in to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.