TODAY'S THE DAY – AT 9:26 A.M. ET:  Republicans in the House today will begin their control of that body in earnest by voting to repeal Obamacare.  It is only a symbolic vote, as Fox News reports, but it begins the long crusade to reform that pathetically flawed piece of legislation:

WASHINGTON -- The new Republican-controlled House of Representatives is certain to vote Wednesday to repeal President Barack Obama's health care reform. The Democratic-controlled Senate is just as certain to let the measure die.

Republicans and Democrats adopted a more civil tone without angry shouts as they debated the repeal legislation on the House floor Tuesday just 10 days after the shooting rampage in Arizona that left a Democratic congresswoman wounded and lawmakers of both parties stunned.

COMMENT:  Republicans must proceed with extreme caution here.  Americans don't like Obamacare, but they do want reform of the health-care system.  Republicans must come up with alternatives to replace unpopular provisions of the current law, while keeping the parts that are popular, like preventing people with preexisting conditions from being turned down for health insurance.  Republicans will not win public favor, and reelection in 2012, if they simply oppose. 

January 19, 2011