· *In a triumphant ceremony in the Rose Garden yesterday afternoon*, President Obama announced that the White House's last-minute push to enroll seven million people in private health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act was successful. Sign-ups even slightly exceeded the administration's goal, coming in at 7.1 million newly insured Americans.
· This was despite the fact that *the beleaguered Obamacare website crashed again on Monday*, causing much consternation for health insurance procrastinators.
· White House officials called the rollercoaster ride of the past few days "shit-tastic," a term which Politico helpfully dissects *here*.
· Who's responsible for this unlikely victory? Hollywood actors, of course! Back in February, *Bradley Cooper met with Obama aide Valerie Jarrett* to figure out how to get more people to sign up. Less than a month later, *Obama appeared on Between Two Ferns *with Cooper's buddy and Hangover co-star, Zack Galafinakis.
· Regardless of who's responsible, it's clear that politically, *this is a big deal*. "The debate over repealing this law is over. The Affordable Care Act is here to stay,” *Obama said*.
· One of the biggest success stories comes from an unlikely place: *Kentucky*.
· Of course, there are naysayers, struggling to make their voices heard in the cacophony of Democratic "I-told-you-so's". Earlier this winter, when the signup count didn't seem so certain, *Jay Carney explained* why the initial numbers don't matter much for the future success of the law.
· *Paul Ryan, who just released his new budget, is also **unconvinced*. "I think Obamacare is a slow-rolling fiasco. I think it’s a Pyrrhic victory."
· Of course, the news hasn't stopped the endless calls for the ACA's repeal. *Bobby Jindal, for one, still thinks it can be done*.
· And the coming of the midterm elections guarantees that *the political posturing on Obamacare is far from over*. Reported by The American Prospect 10 hours ago.
· This was despite the fact that *the beleaguered Obamacare website crashed again on Monday*, causing much consternation for health insurance procrastinators.
· White House officials called the rollercoaster ride of the past few days "shit-tastic," a term which Politico helpfully dissects *here*.
· Who's responsible for this unlikely victory? Hollywood actors, of course! Back in February, *Bradley Cooper met with Obama aide Valerie Jarrett* to figure out how to get more people to sign up. Less than a month later, *Obama appeared on Between Two Ferns *with Cooper's buddy and Hangover co-star, Zack Galafinakis.
· Regardless of who's responsible, it's clear that politically, *this is a big deal*. "The debate over repealing this law is over. The Affordable Care Act is here to stay,” *Obama said*.
· One of the biggest success stories comes from an unlikely place: *Kentucky*.
· Of course, there are naysayers, struggling to make their voices heard in the cacophony of Democratic "I-told-you-so's". Earlier this winter, when the signup count didn't seem so certain, *Jay Carney explained* why the initial numbers don't matter much for the future success of the law.
· *Paul Ryan, who just released his new budget, is also **unconvinced*. "I think Obamacare is a slow-rolling fiasco. I think it’s a Pyrrhic victory."
· Of course, the news hasn't stopped the endless calls for the ACA's repeal. *Bobby Jindal, for one, still thinks it can be done*.
· And the coming of the midterm elections guarantees that *the political posturing on Obamacare is far from over*. Reported by The American Prospect 10 hours ago.