Until some actual internal polling shows his staff how toxic this issue is Obama will continue to support it.   The leftist bubble surrounding the president has convinced Obama this is not a dangerous position.   Most notably the far left contingent of inner circle women consisting of Valerie Jarrett, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  We know from experience that Obama consistently leans toward the softer, more feminine, side of his circle of advisors.

He will force the mandate until he hears how damaging it will be for his election, then he will pivot and showcase how magnanimous, concessionary and bi-partisan he is.

(TPM) — In a statement set to go out to reporters today, EMILY’s List praises the White House and Democrats on the progress they’ve made so far on expanding women’s health access — but warns them against backing away from the plan to require all health insurance plans, even those at religious-run institutions like hospitals and universities, to provide contraception coverage.

“Respect for people’s religious beliefs does not mean that your boss gets to decide what kind of health care you get,” EMILY’s List president Stephanie Schriock says in the statement. “Respect for people’s religious beliefs and their individual liberty means individuals get to decide what kind of religion they practice and what health care is right for them.”

“A person may decide not to use a medication, but that’s their decision,” she continues. “Institutions that serve a broader public have an obligation to respect our nation’s core value of individual liberty, as we respect their religious beliefs.”

In the past 24 hours, the White House has appeared to signal an intention to compromise on the contraception plan with religious institutions. The issue has become a firestorm in the presidential race, with Mitt Romney attacking President Obama on the issue, and conservative groups and Catholic leaders joining in.

Schriock tells the White House to stand its ground.

“The core of our democracy is at stake if Romney and the right-wing impose a structure where some women have to choose between second class citizenship and diminished access to health care or their job,” she says in the statement.  (read more)

Go figure….