Full Court Press

The Supreme Court began hearing arguments today on the constitutionality of provisions of the Affordable Care Act.  Fully three-quarters of Americans in one poll expect the decision to be based on politics.  Only 17% believe it will be based on law, and one of those cynical pundits suggested that this 17% was delusional.

However, virtually all constitutional experts and the most experienced and knowledgeable journalists agree that Obamacare is constitutional, and that according to the law it isn't even close.  While this court has been overtly political in other key cases, the notorious Citizens United being the most obvious, I saw where one seasoned observer doesn't expect it to be a close vote.  He figures it will be upheld by a vote of 6-3 or even 7-2. 

On political grounds, there is the absurd wrinkle that the individual mandate was a Republican idea at a time when some of these Justices were appointed and approved by Republicans.  (Rachel hammered at the hypocrisy tonight.)

But for all the babble and the demos this week, this ain't the court where the NCAA March Madness plays.  The final score by the Supreme Court  won't be known until the end of June.