Republicans launched a blistering attack Friday on the health care reform law upheld by the Supreme Court, seeking to rally their base's opposition to the measure to bolster their fortunes in the November election. Using the court's finding that the centerpiece of the law -- the individual mandate -- amounted to a legal exercise of congressional taxing power, GOP leaders accused President Barack Obama and Democrats of deceiving the nation about the Affordable Care Act during debate on the measure in 2009 and 2010. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky led the charge, saying Democrats used a "deeply dishonest sales pitch" to overcome public opposition to the measure back then.
@highlight
White House says health care fine for lacking insurance is not a tax
@highlight
Opponents target the health care law after the Supreme Court upholds it
@highlight
Sen. Mitch McConnell says President Obama deceived the nation about the law
@highlight
Democrats note that Mitt Romney backed the concept as Massachusetts governor
GOP
Republican
However, @placeholder opponents of the law's expansion of government vowed to continue fighting to repeal it, with certain presidential nominee Mitt Romney saying that defeating Obama in November is the only way to meet that goal.
Barack Obama
Obama
However, Republican opponents of the law's expansion of government vowed to continue fighting to repeal it, with certain presidential nominee Mitt Romney saying that defeating @placeholder in November is the only way to meet that goal.
Affordable Care Act
He called the law known as @placeholder bad policy and a bad law on the federal level.
Barack Obama
Obama
@placeholder, in televised remarks, called Thursday's Supreme Court ruling a victory for the nation.