Washington (CNN) - Marking Sunday's fourth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi brushed off any notion the controversial health care law was hurting Democrats politically, and predicted the measure would help those running in competitive districts in the midterm elections this fall.
"I believe that it's a winner," Pelosi replied when asked Thursday how the issue would play in swing districts.
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"That is a case we have to make," she added and noted Democrats faced a similar dynamic when Social Security was passed in the 1930's, saying "everybody has to spread the word as to what this is."
While Pelosi insisted that Democrats around the country are "standing tall" and supporting the Affordable Care Act, she said Democrats' campaigns weren't focused on health care, but on economic issues.
"We're not running on this. We're running on what the American people want us to run on, which is job creation," Pelosi said.
The Democratic Leader bristled when asked if she was worried the law is a liability for Democrats around the country.
"This isn't about politics. This is about the health of America. This is about standing tall as the country did on Social Security, Medicare, health, Affordable Care Act. So this isn't, we don't weigh its value as to what it means politically, we weigh its value as to what it means to the health, well-being, economic, and health security of America's families."
Pelosi's celebratory event in the Capitol on Thursday-ahead of Sunday's anniversary–stood in stark contrast to the muted embrace from other congressional Democrats. This week members of Congress are back home in their districts. Some Democrats are hosting events to encourage constituents to enroll in insurance coverage before the deadline at the end of the month, but there is little evidence that many, especially those in competitive races, are holding public events to tout the health care law.
After a high profile loss in a special congressional election in Florida last week where Obamacare was a central issue, some Democrats are growing increasingly nervous about being linked to the law, which has had a series of setbacks. There are also worries that the issue could cause them to lose their 55-45 majority in the Senate.
Democrat Alex Sink, who lost the Florida special election, supported Obamacare but campaigned on a message that she would go to Congress to fix the problems with the law.
Pelosi admitted the law isn't perfect and said she also backed making improvements, telling reporters, "just because people say ' I don't want to repeal it but I do want to fix it' doesn't mean they are walking away from it."
National Republicans criticized Pelosi's event.
"Today’s hour-long gaffefest disguised as a press conference shows what Nancy Pelosi’s party is up against this fall. Even Pelosi-the architect of ObamaCare-can’t explain the benefits of a law that is growing more unpopular by the day," said Matt Gorman, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Pelosi and Maryland Democratic Rep Chris Van Hollen touted a long list of statistics about the benefits of the law - including the five million enrolled in the new health care exchanges, the young people who can now remain on their parents' plans, and the savings seniors are enjoying on prescription drug costs.
Pelosi corrected a reporter for referring to the law as "Obamacare" and stressed over and over "it's called the "Affordable Care Act." She said opponents of the law wanted to change its name because they wanted to distance themselves from the word "affordable." The Democratic Leader admitted that the President also used the term "Obamacare" but said she also urged him not to use it.
Van Hollen predicted that by the time the election comes around in November the focus on the law's rocky rollout last autumn will fade and more Americans will be experiencing its tangible benefits in their pocketbooks.
But he admitted the outside spending by groups opposed to Obamacare is a problem, saying, "We're having to provide the facts in the middle of a frontal multimillion dollar misinformation campaign."
"I don't think it's that difficult to explain the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. I do think it can be difficult to beat back the distortions that are out there and not surprisingly, some people are confused," the Maryland Democrat said.
But Pelosi, as she has maintained over the last four years since the law was enacted, said "I have no doubt that this will be such a joy in people's lives."
New Obamacare poll
A new Pew Research Center national poll indicates that 53% of Americans disapprove of the health care law, with 41% saying they support the measure. Opinion of Obamacare is virtually unchanged since Pew polling last September.
But the survey, released Thursday, also indicates when those who oppose Obamacare are asked about the future of the law, more want lawmakers to try and make the measure work than to make it fail.
The Pew Research Center poll was conducted Feb. 27-March 16, with 3,335 adults nationwide questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus two percentage points.
CNN Political Editor Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.