For most Republicans in the House of Representatives, the only greater peril than shutting down the federal government would have been fighting to keep it open. While a shutdown could hurt the Republican Party’s ability to win the Senate next year or take the White House in 2016, that’s not […] Read more »
Seven reasons why Democrats won’t delay the Affordable Care Act
Washington, D.C’s current, unneeded crisis seems destined to lead to a federal government shutdown starting October 1. House Republicans have refused to fund the government unless the Affordable Care Act is defunded or delayed. Their strategy can’t succeed because the Senate will never agree and nor will President Obama. [cont.] […] Read more »
No, the Shutdown Won’t Destroy the Republicans’ Majority
… The belief that a shutdown would be an electoral disaster for Republicans is steeped in Clinton-era political mythology. According to legend, the 1995-1996 shutdown put President Clinton on a pathway to reelection; the ’98 impeachment proceedings gave Democrats gains in the House. But the myth crumbles under scrutiny. Yes, […] Read more »
GOP messaging on the shutdown
Well, it’s shutdown time again, and the caterwauling by the media makes it appear as though there can only be one result – Barack Obama gets everything he wants, and the GOP faces a stunning rebuke in 2014 from an outraged public that wants its highly-efficient, non-wasteful government simply left […] Read more »
More Say Shutdown Is About Politics Than Principle
Americans are more likely to believe the current budget debate between President Barack Obama and the Republicans in Congress is an attempt by both sides to gain political advantage (47%) than an important battle over principles and the future direction of government (37%). … In the current situation, Americans are […] Read more »
Anger at Government Most Pronounced among Conservative Republicans
With a possible government shutdown just hours away, public anger at the federal government is as high as at any point since the Pew Research Center began asking the question in 1997. Anger is most palpable among conservative Republicans – 41% say they are angry at the federal government, the […] Read more »