Politics: Afternoon Edition: Supreme Court begins review of health-care law

If you have difficulty viewing this newsletter, click here to view as a Web page. Click here to view in plain text. Monday, March 26, 2012 HEADLINES Supreme Court begins review of health-care law The Supreme Court opened its historic review of the national health-care overhaul Monday with an indication that it will be able to decide the constitutional question of whether Congress exceeded its powers, despite arguments that the challenge was brought too soon. » Read full article Obama tells Medvedev he'll have 'more flexibility' after Nov. election In an unscripted moment on an open mike, Obama urges space to find a missile defense solution. » Read full article Rick Santorum curses out reporter Santorum used an expletive Sunday when accusing a New York Times reporter of distorting his words. » Read full article President embraces 'Obamacare' label The decision to throw their arms politically around "Obamacare" is a significant shift in how the president and his team talk about the law. » Read full article The 'walking dead' phase of the GOP primary is here Santorum and Gingrich's head-scratchers over the past week or so are part of a familiar pattern, typifying the final throes of candidates virtually certain to lose the nomination. » Read full article QUOTE OF THE DAY President Obama speaking in an unscripted moment picked up by camera crews to Russian President Dmitri Medvedev about European missile defense issues:: "On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space ... This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility." Q&A DISCUSSIONS Walter Dellinger, an attorney who has argued before the Supreme Court was online at 1:30 p.m. ET to discuss the health-care law case argued today before the Supreme Court: Q: What are the odds that the Court will use this as an opportunity to really restrain the ability of the Federal government to regulate the economy, set policy, and direct action by the states? Many analysts see the health care law, and specifically the mandate, as well within historic use of the commerce clause, so it has been suggested that the court will have to change the traditional view of the clause to invalidate the law, if they intend to. Do you agree, and if so, do you think they will? Walter Dellinger: Good question. The most thoughtful conservative judged (Sutton and Silverman) think this is simply a "regulation of commerce". The Court held in 1905 that Congress could prohibit commerce as part of this power, and later cases seem possibly to support the law. I think it would be HUGE change in constitutional law to strike down this regulation of one-seventh of the national commerce » View full Q&A session MULTIMEDIA Video: Where is Ron Paul? The Washington Post's Election 2012 blogger Felicia Sonmez looks at Ron Paul's unique campaign strategy in today's Trail Mix. Join in the conversation on Twitter with #wptrailmix. Get The Washington Post, your way. Want to stay on top of the latest news, features, commentary and more? Here's how: Mobile: Alerts: Social Media: Applications Web site E-mail SMS RSS Feeds Facebook Twitter SEND TO A FRIEND UNSUBSCRIBE E-NEWSLETTER CENTER GET HELP Washington Post Digital E-mail Customer Care 1150 15th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20071 ©2012 The Washington Post Privacy Policy