Midterms are upon us. Thank God, too, because I'm not sure I could endure another muck-chucking campaign ad.
To hear the mainstream media tell it, the Republican establishment's return to power will usher them into control of the Senate. It's been a foregone conclusion for weeks, and as far as I know I probably helped since I voted against every incumbent on the ballot. Either way, it's been entertaining to watch the narrative play out, as if the Democrats were playing but a bit part this time around. I think the press decided long ago what this election would be about, and they refused to be deterred. At least it's overshadowed the absurd obsession with Ebola for now…
Meanwhile, the latest Gallup poll reinforces my own belief that Americans are as noncommittal as ever when it comes to politics. They either couldn't care less about who's running the country or they share my own view that there's not much difference between the parties. Roughly 29 percent of voters told Gallup pollsters the country would be better off if Republicans controlled Congress while 27 percent of them preferred if Democrats were running things, with "40 percent saying it would be the same regardless of which party is in power." Further proof that you can trust the politician just about as much as the voter who elected him.
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(Which makes the aggregate $4 billion that's been spent this midterm election seem downright laughable. Talk about sending flowers to a girl who doesn't even know you exist…)
Anyway, I have little doubt Republicans not only will take the Senate, but strengthen their hold on the House, as well. Much will be made of the victory in the press for at least the rest of the week. About voters sending a message. And a rejuvenated — and suddenly united — Grand Old Party. And don't forget a routed — and suddenly rudderless — bunch of Democrats. PPACA will be sent back to hell. Along with all those illegals after the Republicans slam immigration reform on the president's desk.
But reality, dragged down by political atrophy, will sink in while we're all distracted by PPACA's second enrollment period, the holidays and what I'm told will be a particularly harsh winter this year. By the time we get through all of that, the race will starting heating up for the next presidential election and both parties in Congress will be too busy posturing to actually do their jobs. And President's Obama legacy will be sealed: A dead terrorist leader, a bad law and a whole lot of meaningless squawking and doing nothing.
Speaking of PPCA, did you catch that piece of "no news is now news" that the Supreme Court passed on jumping into the subsidy case? At least for now, anyway. There's a chance they'll announce something next week, but I'd be shocked if they did. I have a feeling Chief Justice Roberts doesn't want anything else to do with this law. And I don't blame him.
Which brings me to Nov. 15. I have to echo the thoughts of a friend of mine in the business — who just happens to be at one of the major carriers.
"I think the second round of open enrollment for PPACA will go more smoothly and we will see millions more sign up for health insurance," he told me.
But that doesn't mean it will be all wine and roses, either. The thing Burwell needs to address is the outrageous — if admittedly early — turnover rate of these rookie exchange customers. As we just reported, more than half of them will drop their policies this time around. Talk about a bunch of window shoppers…what did I say earlier about commitment issues? At least we're consistently fickle I guess.
Finally, it looks like I got stuck with The Dude for Movember. Dammit. Photos to come. Either way, please go here to donate.
Also read: What a GOP Senate could mean for PPACA
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