Wildcard judge signals he’s doubtful Obamacare is legal without individual mandate

Legal scholars, even Obamacare’s loudest critics, believe the health law can stand without the individual mandate — and yet, a Texas federal judge appears to be skeptical.

Federal Judge Reed O’Connor, a George W. Bush appointee and wildcard who’s ruled against the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the past, listened to oral arguments Wednesday in Texas v. United States, the latest attempt to eliminate the 2010 health care law. O’Connor hasn’t formal...