Old video shows Romney lauding (old) mandate

On the same day the Supreme Court announces its decision on the health care law, a Democratic opposition research group is pushing a video from 2006 that shows Mitt Romney praising the idea of an individual insurance mandate -- a key component of the Affordable Care Act that he now chastises.

As former governor of Massachusetts, Romney signed off on a law requiring individuals to purchase health insurance. Romney's opponents now point to the law as a way to paint the presidential candidate as hypocritical when he blasts President Barack Obama's sweeping health care reform, which also includes a mandate.

Late Wednesday night, on the eve of the high court's announcement, the Democratic group American Bridge 21st Century blasted out the six-year-old video, a VHS tape they said they "just found" in the Massachusetts state archives.

"With regards to the individual mandate, the individual responsibility program that I proposed, I was very pleased that the compromise between the two houses includes the personal responsibility mandate. That is essential for bringing the health care costs down for everyone and getting everyone the health insurance they need," Romney said.

In his defense, Romney now says the Massachusetts health care law was designed for that state -- and that state only. He staunchly opposes the notion of a federal mandate and repeatedly says he would repeal "Obamacare" on his first day in office.

"I'm asked from time-to-time why don't you like Obamacare? What is it that's wrong with it? Well let me count the ways, there are a lot," Romney said Wednesday in Sterling, Va. "First, I don't like the idea of government bureaucrats getting between us and our doctors, that's number one."

He also argued the law adds trillions to the debt and cuts $500 billion from Medicare.

Romney's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the video.