David Jackson

USA TODAY

President Obama has a simple message for Republicans who want to defund his health care law.

"Win an election."

Obama's message came during a speech about his agenda moving past the recent government shutdown, the result of efforts by some Republicans to stop or at least delay Obamacare.

In protesting a Tea Party strategy to oppose any budget that did not delay parts of the law, Obama said:

"You don't like a particular policy -- or a particular president -- then argue for your position. Go out there and win an election.

"Push to change it. But don't break it. Don't break what our predecessors spent over two centuries building. That's not being faithful to what this country is about."

One thing for certain: Obamacare will be a major issue in the 2014 congressional elections, and possibly the 2016 presidential election as well.