Obama's presidential legacy linked to Supreme Court's health law verdict

Overhauling the nation's health system has been the president's most significant legislative achievement. As a result, the Court's decision will also reflect on his effectiveness as a leader. Meanwhile, news outlets report on the White House's preparations for the decision.

Bloomberg: Obama's Legacy At Risk After Winning Health-Care Fight
The outcome of a 100-year fight for U.S. national health care rests on the verdict today of nine justices, who will emerge from behind a red velvet curtain. Just four months before the presidential election, the Supreme Court is poised to rule on the constitutionality of President Barack Obama's biggest legislative achievement, which would extend coverage to at least 30 million uninsured Americans in the biggest overhaul of the nation's health-care system since Medicare and Medicaid were enacted in 1965. "When we talk about Obama 20 or 30 years from now, this is likely to be the bill we talk about," said Julian Zelizer, a presidential historian at Princeton University. "If the Supreme Court takes away from Obama his biggest accomplishment, this is exactly what a president really fears. In some ways, it's worse than not getting re-elected" (Dorning, 6/28).

The Hill: High Court Health Care Ruling Will Be Verdict On Obama As a Leader
The Supreme Court's healthcare ruling Thursday will deliver a definitive judgment on President Obama's effectiveness as a leader. If the law is upheld, Obama's victory -; which came after he ignored the counsel of those who argued for a more incremental approach -; will be preserved and bolstered. But if the law is struck down or gutted, it will provide ammunition to those who argue Obama's aloofness and relative lack of experience in Washington policymaking amount to debilitating weaknesses (Stanage, 6/27).

Los Angeles Times: White House Unusually Quiet Before Supreme Court Healthcare Ruling
The ruling on Obama's biggest domestic accomplishment could be among the most consequential events in his presidency, but he will learn about it at the same time as the rest of the nation, receiving no advanced warning as he does for such government actions as the release of unemployment statistics (Parsons, Mascaro and Hennessey, 6/27).

The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire: Obama Prepares Three Speeches Ahead Of Health-Care Ruling
The White House has kept its preparations for the Supreme Court's decision on President Barack Obama's health care law close to the vest. Mr. Obama, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Wednesday, the West Wing is merely "waiting for an opinion, a decision, and we'll assess" (Lee, 6/27).