Even before Obamacare passed–and when I still thought Rep. Stupak would stay solid–I wrote in this space that it was particularly important for pro-lifers that the pro-lifers who flipped on the issue be defeated. The first flipper, and the most prominent, now essentially has been.
The Supreme Court vacancy is good news too. There are better and worse ways for the Republicans to deal with the impending nomination–I think loose talk about filibusters is counterproductive–but a fight over the Court this summer is highly likely to energize conservative constituencies. The issues that the fight will highlight, from national-security law to Obamacare’s mandates to abortion, mostly play to conservative strengths.