Campaigns change message after health care ruling

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Everyone expected health care reform to continue to be a big campaign issue this year.

But the ruling changes how both sides are going at it.

Instead of focusing on that individual mandate, now it's become a tax controversy.

Some top Republicans say this is good for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney because it takes the focus off the "Romney-care" he passed in Massachusetts.

Romney can now go after President Barack Obama on the tax issue.

"Now the repeal is a real piece. Before when Republicans would say they wanted to repeal and replace, it was really gonna be hard to repeal a mandate. Now we're talking about taxes," said Jeff Roe, a GOP strategist.

He's working on more than 30 campaigns across the country.

He also revealed a behind the scenes moment from Thursday's scramble after the suprise tax twist in the ruling.

"Nobody could have prepared for it. Every campaign in America had three statements ready... and none of them contained this information," laughed Roe.

On the Democratic side, Mo. State Senator Kiki Curls said, "It's gonna be important that we make sure we get the message out for those that it benefits. I think that's what's going to be most important. This is huge."

The tax issue is already being used against Senator Claire MCaskill.

Republican candidates trying to replace her say her vote for health care can now be seen as a vote for a huge tax increase.