Democrats cheering what appears to be the imminent failure of the GOP’s latest ObamaCare repeal effort are giving a special shout out to Jimmy Kimmel, the comedian-turned-activist whose opposition to the bill made him the public face of resistance.

“Jimmy Kimmel played a huge role, in the sense that [he] connected with average Americans,” Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) said Friday.

“It had a tremendous impact to make people think.”

Kimmel, the late-night host of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” has for months turned the GOP’s repeal effort into a personal crusade, broadcasting the plight of his infant son, born with a serious heart condition, and accusing the Republicans of pushing legislation that would steal his son’s health coverage.

ADVERTISEMENT

That saga evolved this week into a personal back-and-forth between Kimmel and the sponsors of the repeal legislation, Sens. Bill Cassidy William (Bill) Morgan CassidyCoushatta tribe begins long road to recovery after Hurricane Laura Senators offer disaster tax relief bill Bottom line MORE (R-La.) and Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Will Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day MORE (R-S.C.), with each side launching charges that the other misunderstood the substance of the legislation.

Meeks cited Kimmel’s “celebrity factor” as a wildcard that resonated with the public, perhaps more than the message coming from the Republicans. He compared the dynamics to those that accompanied the rise of President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE, another television personality who used his fame to climb all the way to the White House.

“It’s ironic, but Donald Trump wouldn’t have gotten away with all the things he got away with if he didn’t have a celebrity factor. This leveled the playing field to a degree,” Meeks said. “To a degree it’s unfortunate that … we idolize celebrities. That’s why someone people want celebrities to endorse their products, because it sells.

“That’s the society that we live in.”

Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), echoed that message, saying Kimmel’s huge public stage — and touching personal ordeal — kept the pressure on moderate Republicans to oppose their party’s bill.

“He sways public opinion which then sways debate. And because it was so emotional — to show his family, to show the human side of it — he’s really just going through what everyone else goes through, and how it would affect everyday Americans,” Richmond said.

“I think it just helped put a story and a face with it.”

The Republicans have been struggling all year to make good on a years-long promise to dismantle President Obama’s health-care law, but the Cassidy-Graham proposal had gained steam in recent days. GOP leaders are eying a vote on the bill next week.

But Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day McConnell urges GOP senators to 'keep your powder dry' on Supreme Court vacancy McSally says current Senate should vote on Trump nominee MORE (R-Ariz.) dealt Trump and GOP leaders an enormous setback on Friday, announcing he “cannot in good conscience” support the GOP’s latest repeal bill despite his friendship with Graham, a co-sponsor.

McCain was the crucial vote that halted the Republicans’ earlier repeal effort in July. In voting no, he cited the absence of both committee hearings on the legislation and the lack of Democratic buy-in. He urged GOP leaders to return to the drawing board to work on a bipartisan plan that followed regular order — and that was the same message he delivered on Friday.

“I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried," he said in a statement.

Kimmel quickly praised McCain as “a hero.”

With Democrats united against the repeal legislatoin, the Republicans can afford only two GOP defections or the bill is dead.

Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (R-Ky.) came out last week against the bill, and Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Most Americans think winner of election should pick next Supreme Court justice: poll Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election MORE (R-Maine) has told several media outlets that she’s leaning against it.

It’s unclear what happens next. An undeterred White House responded to McCain’s announcement with the defiant message that the repeal effort will continue. And Sen. Orrin Hatch Orrin Grant HatchBottom line Bottom line Senate GOP divided over whether they'd fill Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Utah), chairman of the powerful Finance Committee, has previously suggested the Republicans could move ObamaCare repeal as part of a tax reform package.

For the moment, however, the Democrats are claiming a huge victory in their fight to protect the Affordable Care Act. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) claimed Friday that McCain’s opposition lends the Democrats the opportunity to “finally put a stake in the heart of this monstrous bill.”

The news of McCain’s defection was cheered by the participants of the CBC’s annual issues conference, which was staged this week at Washington’s cavernous Convention Center. When it was announced in a session examining the intersection of hip-hop and politics, “people stood up and clapped,” said Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.).

Carson praised Kimmel’s role as significant, though he was quick to note that the vocal opposition from activists, health care groups and the social justice movement also played a crucial role in applying pressure to on-the-fence Republicans.

“Politicians pay attention to two things: money and poll numbers,” Carson said. He also suggested that McCain, recently diagnosed with brain cancer, is looking beyond the next election.

“Sen. McCain’s a very smart guy, he’s dealt with health challenges in his own life, and he’s seen his constituents suffer,” Carson said.

“It’s about looking at your legacy.”