DEMS/ELECTIONS/GOP/OBAMACARE/POLLS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Trump administration’s decision not to defend key provisions of the Affordable Care Act could deal Democrats a sizable win going into the midterm elections, handing a party already prepared to run on health care a cudgel to use against vulnerable Republicans. Voters, both in interviews and a series of polls, have consistently said that health care is the issue they care the most about going into the midterm elections and Democratic candidates have responded by making it the cornerstone of their attacks on Republicans. On Thursday, the Trump administration clearly outlined their position on key — and popular — provisions in the Affordable Care Act, telling a court that the law should be invalidated and that the individual mandate is unconstitutional…As the debate over the Trump administration’s decision raged, the National Republican Campaign Committee largely ignored the issue, instead noting that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said a range of health care options are ‘on the table’ if Democrats take back the House in November. Democrats don’t mind this comparison, in part because polls have shown that not only is health care a top issue for many voters, but it’s an issue that helps Democrats. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll released on Thursday — before the Trump administration decision was unveiled — found health care was the top issue for all voters and that it’s an issue where Democrats have an overwhelming advantage.”
-Dan Merica, “Trump court move on Obamacare bolsters Democrats’ midterm message,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, June 8, 2018 12:15 pm