NEW ORLEANS -- Health care reform is giving GOP leaders a shiny trophy of evidence to prove to its base that party control of Congress must change this year. Speakers here at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference have all criticized the legislation, and if the activist audience's reception is any indication, this will be the No. 1 rallying point in the fall elections.

While the state of the economy could decide many of the congressional elections this year, no issue excites the GOP base like health care.

"One of the most arrogant power plays in American history," Liz Cheney called it.

"The most radical president in American history has now thrown down the gauntlet on the American people," said Newt Gingrich.

"The mother of all unfunded mandates," said Sarah Palin.

"This is no time to be timid," said Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. "We must repeal this bill."

"We need to stay focused on what really matters," like national security, said Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Recent polls on the subject are wide-ranging, with more people opposing health care reform by between 3 and 21 points. However, none show a plurality supporting it. The RCP Average now shows 40 percent favor it and 52 percent oppose.

Whether it is good policy or not, Republican candidates will run on it and Republican voters will rally around it.

By winning back Congress in November, Jindal said, "we put our country back on the right track so we make sure that we continue to be the greatest country on Earth."