Democrats see opportunity in repeal debate

As the floor debate over healthcare repeal gets under way in the House on Tuesday, many Democrats see it as an opportunity to re-pitch the law's more popular components. 

Ahead of another campaign cycle where "yes" votes on healthcare are likely to haunt the campaigns of some Democrats in the House and Senate, expect Democrats to try and use the coming debate as a chance to correct the messaging that fell flat on its face two years ago.  

"Our biggest failure was that we passed a fairly moderate bill, but we allowed it to be painted as this crazy liberal monstrosity," said Democratic pollster Stefan Hankin. "So we completely lost the moderation, and I think that's what we have the opportunity to get back in this debate."  

Hankin said Democrats should refocus on parts of the law that polling shows broader support for, including coverage of pre-existing conditions. 

"We had way too much focus on the 30 million people who are uninsured," he said. "While that's important and people care about that, what you really need to show people is what this bill does for them." 

Another factor working in favor of Democrats, said Hankin, is that the party is no longer on the verge of a civil war between its liberal and more centrist members, many of whom were pressured to vote "yes" and ultimately lost reelection thanks in large part to those votes. 

Without wrangling over the public option and specific elements of the law that divided the Democratic Caucus, members will likely be able to put forth a more united messaging front that focuses on the law's positives. 

Over the weekend, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Democrats welcome the repeal debate for that very reason. During an appearance on "Meet the Press," Schumer said the debate allows members of his party "a second chance to make a first impression." 

Another option for House Democrats moving forward is making use of procedural motions in an attempt to stymie Republicans or force the majority's hand on votes its members would rather not take. It's a risky strategy, warned Hankin, who said it could simply end up reminding voters "how much they hated the process of healthcare getting passed in the first place."  

Meanwhile, advocacy groups are also jumping back into the fray. The liberal group Americans United for Change is up with a new TV spot Tuesday, accusing the new House Republican majority of trying to strip healthcare benefits enjoyed by members of Congress from the rest of Americans. 

"Members of Congress know their health insurance plan can't deny converage for their kids," the spot says. "Congressmen can rest assured that their insurance plan won't drop their families if they get sick. The Affordable Care Act gave your family the same health protections members of Congress get."  

The spot will run on Fox News and MSNBC in the D.C. market, as well as on CNN nationally. Watch the ad here. 

The House has scheduled seven hours of floor debate on the GOP repeal bill, with time divided equally between Republicans and Democrats.