At first glance, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision to uphold the nation’s health care law is a huge win for President Barack Obama.

But what will the political implications be for the November election? Will Obama get a boost after the history court ruling?

The legal win may present a political mixed blessing for the president’s re-election campaign because it is likely to rally conservative voters and people who generally oppose the law.

Obama’s signature piece of legislation during his first term isn’t the most popular law ever passed in terms of political support from the general public.

It will be up to Obama, the White House and the re-election campaign and supporters to continue to tout what they feel are the new law’s benefits.

The president began that effort with a speech Thursday at the White House, where he acknowledged that people will dissect who the winners and losers are politically from the Supreme Court’s decision.

“But today, I’m as confident as ever that when we look back five years from now, or 10 years from now, or 20 years from now, we’ll be better off because we had the courage to pass this law and keep moving forward,” Obama said.

Often mentioned by supporters and the president is that insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and that children can now stay on their parents’ policies until they are 26.

But Affordable Health Care For America Act opponents, who dub the law Obamacare, now have new ammunition to say the president has raised taxes.

That’s because the court upheld the provision of the law that requires everyone to purchase insurance because they considered the mandate can be construed as a tax.

Chief Justice John Roberts said “The payment is collected solely by the IRS through the normal means of taxation.”

That likely will be in many of Mitt Romney’s advertisements and already after the ruling it was mentioned by many Republican and conservative leaders, who will also attack the law as big government.

Another helpful item for the GOP is they are relieved the immediate pressure to come up with a plan to replace the health care law that will remain on the books unless enough support can be drummed up in Congress to repeal it.

That would have been especially difficult during an election year trying to get something passed that has become so partisan in nature.

If Obama wins re-election, be assured the new law will stay in place, so that puts even more pressure on Republicans to win both chambers of Congress and the White House.

Fundies

n Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 11th District Court of Appeals Court, will host Night with the Captains at 6 p.m. July 11 at Classic Park in Eastlake. See Mike Apicella.

n David Fiebig, candidate for Lake County commissioner, golf outing July 13 at Black Brook golf course in Mentor 9:30 a.m., 5 p.m. dinner. See Dale Fellows or Cindy Quinn-Hopkins.

n Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski eighth annual golf outing 8:30 a.m. shotgun start July 13 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.

n Fundraiser for Jason Wuliger, candidate for Lake County Recorder, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 16th at the home of Judy and Roger Sustar, with special guest U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette. See Susan Culotta.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, hosts a summer BBQ at 5:30 p.m. July 19 at Perry Township Park. See Lindsay D. Baruffa.

n Geauga County Sheriff Daniel McClelland hosts 2012 Rib Dinner, 6 to 8 p.m. July 20 at Troy Community House in Troy Township. See Craig Richter.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah