… 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 »
GOP would bear the brunt of shutdown blame
If the federal government shuts down starting Tuesday because of a bitter partisan battle over the new health care law, more people say congressional Republicans rather than President Barack Obama would be responsible, according to a new national survey. A CNN/ORC International poll released Monday morning, hours before funding for […] Read more »
Just one in four approve of Republicans handling of government shutdown standoff
On the eve of a government shutdown, Americans disapprove of all players in Washington’s latest budget standoff in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, although they save particular ire for Republicans’ handling of the fight to fund the government beyond midnight. [cont.] Scott Clement, Washington Post Read more »