Obama’s legacy on the line as healthcare implementation challenges mount

The delay in the healthcare employers mandate has dealt the Obama administration a black eye, at a time when the president desperately needs a political win.

Political observers agreed that the decision to delay the mandate until 2015, which the administration announced on Tuesday, is a setback for Obama, who is currently attempting to shoehorn immigration reform legislation through the House to secure one of his legislative priorities in his second term.

It also casts a shadow on Obama’s one major legislative accomplishment and could possibly put a dent in his legacy, observers said.

“If healthcare were to be his one major victory and it is seen as flawed and resisted to some good effect for the remainder of his presidency, that would be a hit to his legacy and it might take him off the list of great Democratic presidents,” said Cal Jillson, a professor of political science at Southern Methodist University.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/309227-obamas-legacy-may-suffer-from-healthcare-decision#ixzz2YG3nZqAG