[35-year-old Ronald Hudson had] never had insurance before and said his hospital bills were up to $23,000 at this point.This interview took place in Breathitt County, solid Red territory:“Good night,” Lively said, tapping in his information.Kids: five. Salary: about $14,000 before taxes.“You’re going to qualify for a medical card,” she told Hudson.“Well, thank God,” Hudson said, laughing. “I believe I’m going to be a Democrat.”
Thus, we have the perfect illustration of why Republicans have fought Obamacare every step of the way, and are still working to sabotage it: A rural southern white male is openly talking about becoming a Democrat. Why? Because Democrats have now made his life a little better.
Republicans could've shared in the credit by working with Democrats to pass what was their Heritage-designed plan. Instead, they've staked their entire existence on its defeat. Thus, Hudson will have a stark choice in 2014: Vote for Mitch McConnell, who wants to take away his health security just as he finally gets it, or for Alison Lundergan Grimes, who won't (no matter how squishy she might currently be on the issue).
And if the GOP's last bastion of support starts liking the law, and as a result, Democrats, just imagine what might happen amongst more swingy demographics. What about married women, who lean GOP, but might suddenly see their families insured? What about Republican-leaning Gen-Xers hitting middle-age, were health issues become more prominent in their lives?
The fight for Obamacare has become an existentialist crisis for the GOP. And Ronald Hudson in Breathitt County, Kentucky, is turning that nightmare into reality.