It was a great day at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Progressives of all stripes celebrated a surprising victory in a Court they love to hate. Even the losing Commerce Clause argument could not ruin their day. But the old axiom “Be careful what you wish for” is appropriate here. The decision reminded voters of an unpopular program that Democratic candidates ran away from in 2012. As periodic reports of Obamacare’s exploding costs and adverse impact on job creation continue, one wonders whether marginal seat Democrats will change direction to support the bill.

For conservatives, the decision was a reminder that there is no such thing as a “sure” thing. The Jets beat the Colts in Super Bowl III. Truman beat Dewey in ’48. And a Roberts-led Court has given it’s approval to (most of) Obamacare.

Within hours of the Court’s decision, reports surfaced about an extraordinary surge in contributions pouring into the Romney campaign coffers ($4.6 million in 24 hours from 47,000 donors). In politics, it’s usually about the aggrieved party, and aggrieved right wingers now have added impetus to defeat the President. Look for a “repeal and replace” moniker to assume a higher profile in the Romney lexicon.

A further thought: over the past two years, the President has been able to tamp down speculation that large employers will drop their employer-paid health plans and simply pay an Obamacare-required penalty instead. Many corporate bottom lines would improve as a result, but not the well being of millions of American workers. A spate of such decisions would set off alarm bells in the White House.

The views expressed here are those of the author, Robert L. Ehrlich, the former Governor of Maryland who also served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.