The Republican National Committee used the second anniversary of President Obama's signature healthcare legislation to mock the president for not making any public appearances in support of the controversial bill.
In a Web ad released Monday, the bill — anthropomorphized, "Schoolhouse Rock"-style — is shown crying at popular Washington landmarks while wearing a celebratory birthday hat.
"ObamaCare, why are you so sad?" onscreen text asks.
"Nobody in America likes me. Even Obama won't celebrate my birthday now," the bill responds.
Obama has mentioned the law several times in stump speeches at fundraisers around the country. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is making a series of appearances in support of the bill, and Obama himself praises the legislation in the documentary-style campaign video released last week.
"The president does speak about healthcare on occasion and will continue to do that, but he is focused on a forward agenda right now, and working with Congress and doing the things he can through executive action to grow the economy and create jobs," said White House spokesman Jay Carney on Thursday.
The president also has a planned noon-time departure to visit South Korea, limiting the possibility for events during the day.
But Republicans insist that the president is ducking the legislation, which many polls show as unpopular with a majority of Americans.
In response, the GOP is amping up efforts to needle the president. The RNC unveiled a large banner on the side of its Washington headquarters that proclaims, "Happy Birthday ObamaCare! We didn't forget you."
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus also issued a statement slamming the legislation — and Obama's absence.
"Today is the two-year anniversary of ObamaCare, but President Obama is not celebrating. He would rather Americans forget about his signature 'accomplishment,' because today it is a massive, undeniable failure and a heap of broken promises," Priebus said.
