Keller @ Large: People Get It, Politicians Don't

BOSTON (CBS) - I enjoy my work and I'm not complaining, mind you, but I have to say my assignment yesterday after the big Supreme Court ruling reaffirming the Affordable Care Act was kind of a drag.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

I had to sample the political reaction, and it unsurprisingly turned out to be one piece of dubious posturing after another from both sides of the aisle.

Let's start with the president, who said that any discussion of the politics of the situation "completely misses the point."

No, sir, it doesn't, it's right on point.

The passage of the reform was along strict party lines. Votes don't come more political than that. And the future of the law will now be determined by the presidential and congressional elections this fall.

If that isn't placing politics front and center, what is?

Then there was Mitt Romney, full of outrage and promises to repeal the law.

First of all, that's a very problematic promise, subject entirely to the election of GOP majorities in both branches. And if you wonder how he can so aggressively bad-mouth the same scheme he promoted when he was governor here, you're not the only one.

Scott Brown wasn't much better in his statement, claiming that the federal law has done nothing but damage to us here in Massachusetts. He should ask his friends in the insurance and health-care industries if they feel the same way.

And both Elizabeth Warren and Deval Patrick didn't like it much when I asked them if they're comfortable now defending a tax hike, now that the court has explained that's what the mandate is.

The only ones who came out looking good yesterday were Justice Roberts, who stayed true to his conservative credo that the court should restrain itself from usurping the power of Congress, and the voters who've told pollsters they're wary of a repeal that might sweep away elements of the law they like.

That's common sense, not posturing. Sure wish more politicians would copy their act, and cut the baby talk.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.