A "big f***ing deal" has become an equally big fight, with Republicans relentlessly attacking President Barack Obama's signature health care reforms over the new reality they are bringing to the health insurance market. One reason is the GOP's ideological opposition to big government, as manifested by the health care overhaul intended to hold down rising costs that threaten U.S. fiscal stability. Another is the long-term political benefit to Obama and Democrats from the sweeping changes intended to give people previously unable to afford health insurance or deemed ineligible the chance to obtain coverage. Coupled with Obama's stated second-term priority -- proposed immigration reform that would remove the "illegal" label for millions of undocumented aliens -- the legislative power play could provide an electoral boost for Democrats certain to last a generation or longer.
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Obamacare and immigration reform could boost Democrats for a generation or more
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Parties in power always try to use policy to secure future voter support
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Ideology aside, Republicans know health care, immigration reforms help Democrats
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GOP attacks focus on the health care law, not just website woes
The decade of waiting to seek citizenship should ease the fears of @placeholder over an immediate impact on elections, as only U.S. citizens can vote, West said.
However,  any undocumented immigrants who eventually become citizens would probably be Democrats, because "they've seen Democrats have been the people pushing for immigration reform while @placeholder have been resistant," he added.