When Sal Pace first entered the state Legislature in 2008 he probably wasn't expecting to be running for Congress anytime soon. His former boss, John Salazar, looked safely ensconced in the 3rd Congressional district and Pace sat safely in a heavy Dem district. With that safety in mind, it makes sense why he racked up a far left voting record on many issues, but especially healthcare.
With the Supreme Court looking increasingly likely to declare the death of Obamacare via judicial determination — a major blow to Democrats and Obama — where will that leave Pace's Congressional campaign?
How will he defend supporting an unconstitutional (& highly unpopular) law?
There hasn't been much coverage of Pace's extensive, on-the-record opinions on Obamacare, and socialized medicine more generally, but if you have access to a little thing called Google it's right there for you to see.
Pace most recently voted to keep Obamacare in place back in January, but his most vociferous support of socialized medicine is found earlier in his career.
In 2009, Pace co-sponsored HB1273 (PDF), which would create a single-payer, government-run healthcare system in Colorado. That bill was so left-wing that even Governor Ritter wouldn't support it.
Not only does Pace believe in Obamacare, but he was a cheerleader for the bill before it was even passed. In 2009, Pace signed a Progressive States Network petition to urge Obama to pass Obamacare, including the much despised public option.
With such a storied history on Obamacare, it's no wonder Pace was pissed when the Obamacare resolution was brought up in January.
The issue can, and probably will, do serious damage to his candidacy in the conservative 3rd Congressional district.
With the individual mandate the focus this week in front of the Supreme Court, recent polling by National Journal provides a stark reminder about how unpopular the bill has become.
Key finding from the latest National Journal poll:
Overall, when asked if “the federal government should or should not be able to require all Americans to obtain health insurance or else pay a fine,” just 28 percent of those surveyed said they supported the mandate, while 66 percent opposed it.
If nationally people hate the individual mandate, the heart and soul of Obamacare, by a nearly 3-1 margin, then what do you think people think about it in CD3?
Probably as much as they're going to think of Pace come the first Tuesday in November.