Originally the liberals, including Obama, were AGAINST any mandates. It was only because Obama desired consensus that the mandate was included during negotiations with Senators Grassley and Corker who were the ones who added the mandate.
So the GOP actually sabotoged the bill by adding the mandate then voting against the bill anyway then running against the mandate they demanded in the first place. Now its the GOP who is against the mandate and the liberals are for it? Not this one. I am against the mandate still. I hope the Supreme Court kills the mandate but leaves the rest intact. If the the health care law is repealed entirely it will be Obama's fault for insisting on consensus with those who never intended to "play ball" anyway. The bright side is it looks like the mandate will be struck down and if the whole law goes that will be our opportunity to fight for single payer again. Medicaid for all!