Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Politically vulnerable Democrats plan to back Obamacare repeal

The House's planned vote Wednesday to fully repeal Obamacare ultimately amounts to little more than political theater, given that House Republicans have made 30 previous attempts to repeal all or part of the law, all of which have gone nowhere in the Democrat-controlled Senate. But this week's vote does offer several politically vulnerable members a new chance to distinguish themselves on this hot-button issue.
Ahead of Wednesday's vote, at least two House Democrats have indicated plans to side with a majority of Republicans to reject portions of the law. Both face uncertain re-election odds.
The first to publicly confirm his vote for repeal was Democratic Rep. Larry Kissel of North Carolina.
"I voted against it originally and I will vote to repeal it," he first told the Charlotte Observer last week. Kissell voted against the health care law when it won overall passage in 2009. He did not vote for repeal in 2011.
Kissell faces a very tough re-election race in the 8th District, which became significantly more Republican this cycle following redistricting changes. Kissell is no stranger to bucking his party. He recently joined 16 Democratic colleagues in voting against the majority of their party to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress. Kissell said he doesn't plan to endorse the president's re-election campaign this year.
In addition to Kissell, Democratic Rep. Mike McIntyre, also of North Carolina, confirmed he will vote for repeal this week. McIntyre's position is unsurprising for several reasons: He was one of just three Democrats to vote for repeal in January of 2011 and he represents a conservative constituency in the 7th District made more so by redistricting this cycle. Like Kissell, McIntyre also refuses to publicly endorse the president.

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