>> But how do you know there won't be enough horror stories to give
>> credence to the Republicans' criticisms? The large majority of people
>> won't be personally affected in any way by the bill. So they'll judge
>> it based on what they hear about it from the media.
>
> Most people weren't affected by the Masscare bill either -- even less
> than will be affected by Obamacare IIUC. And everyone's heard of its
> cost problems. And yet there's an 80% majority in favor of keeping it
> 4 years later. 80% is pretty enormous for anything.
Yes, that's what usually happens when the leaderships of both parties agree on an issue. But that won't be the case for Obamacare.
Anyway, the danger isn't that public opinion will come to support a wholesale repeal of Obamacare. I doubt even the Republicans will call for that. The danger is that credible Republican attacks on Obamacare will (deliberately) discredit the whole idea of coverage-expanding health reform.
SA