Politics

The Party Line

The Party Line is dedicated to examining regional issues and policies through the figures who give shape to them. These are critical, complex, and even downright confusing times we live in. There’s a lot to navigate nationally and in the Carolinas; whether it’s elections, debates on gay marriage, public school closings, or tax incentives for economic development. The Party Line’s goal is to offer a provocative, intelligent look at the issues and players behind the action; a view that ultimately offers the necessary insight for Carolina voters to hold public servants more accountable.

Health Care Decision Adds Fuel To Campaigns

WFAE | By Michael Bitzer

Published June 28, 2012 at 12:00 AM EDT

I think the Supreme Court’s decision is certainly a legal and policy win for Obama, but it may be a bigger political win for Romney. The decision is almost certainly going to inflame the Tea Party faction of the GOP, which is determined to repeal this decision, and if Romney can tap into that anger and harness it for November, he would certainly shore up any lingering conservative doubts about his candidacy.

For Obama, he needs to energize and mobilize his own Democratic base and point to this as his signature success, while convincing liberals that he needs their support to stop Romney and the Tea Party from undoing the policy.

In the end, the general election’s top issue will be the economy, jobs, and unemployment, but among hard-core party activists on both sides, this may provide more fuel for engaging in a hotly contested campaign coming up.