Tensions are rising between the GOP and its conservative base as top Republican lawmakers gradually pivot in favor of some ‘Obamacare’ provisions.
In the latest instance, Senate Republican Conference Vice Chair Roy Blunt sparred on Twitter Thursday with Michelle Malkin after the conservative blogger wrote a post mercilessly going after him and other GOP lawmakers who have sympathized with parts of the health care law.
“These big-government Republicans show appalling indifference to the dire market disruptions and culture of dependency that Obamacare schemes have wrought,” Malkin wrote. “Who needs enemies when you’ve got Republican Surrenderists for Obamacare waiting in the wings?”
As a Supreme Court decision looms this month, Republicans are slowly realizing that they’ll be held responsible for a highly dysfunctional health care system if chunks of the law are overturned. And in recent weeks they’ve been creating wiggle room to support some of popular pieces of ‘Obamacare’ — including the coverage guarantee for pre-existing conditions, letting young adults remain on a parent’s policy until 26 and closing the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap — in a potential replacement plan. Election-year concerns add to the pressure they feel. The hedging has come from leaders like House GOP Policy Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) to tea party darlings like Rep. Allen West (R-FL).