It's Not Just Liberals Who Think Judge's ACA Ruling is a Bad Idea — So Do Conservatives

Reed O'Connor, the Texas District Judge who last week declared the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional, isn't getting much love right now — not even from fellow conservatives.

After his ruling late Friday — which could boot millions off health insurance and eliminate protections for those with pre-existing conditions — he's been hit with a tidal wave of criticism from liberals and medical groups. No surprise there.

What is surprising, though, is that some of the most scathing ire is coming from the right.

The conservative Wall Street Journal blasted O'Connor in an editorial, arguing the ruling ultimately will be overturned, but not before generating more bad blood for the GOP after its painful midterm drubbing.

"This is what happens when conservatives fall into the liberal trap of thinking they can use the courts to achieve policy goals that need to be won in Congress," the paper opines.

Ted Frank, a Competitive Enterprise Institute lawyer critical of Obamacare, called O'Connor's decision “embarrassingly bad,” adding that “you’re twisting yourself into knots” to follow it to the conclusion.

Meanwhile, Philip Klein of the right-wing Washington Examiner called the ruling "an assault on the rule of law." Klein — who's spilled gallon after gallon of ink criticizing the ACA — questions why Texas and the 19 other states that brought the suit even had standing to do so.

As the anger builds on both sides of the aisle, it will be interesting to see how much splashes back on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who led the coalition that brought the suit.

In statement tone-deaf even by his standards, Paxton praised O'Connor's decision, saying it gives Americans "greater choice about what health coverage they need and who will be their doctor."

So long as they can afford the coverage, apparently.

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