The march toward government shutdown got its start in mid-July with a meeting in the office of Senator Mike Lee of Utah. Lee and his colleagues Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida huddled with representatives of Tea Party groups like Heritage Action, ForAmerica, and the Tea Party […] Read more »
Americans blame Republicans most for the government shutdown
Many analysts and pundits are trying to figure out who the public is blaming for the shutdown. All the pre-shutdown polling indicated that people were more likely to hold Republicans accountable than Democrats, but it also shows a majority of Americans think both sides are doing a bad job. Put […] Read more »
Inside the GOP: Report on focus groups with Evangelical, Tea Party, and moderate Republicans
If you want to understand the government shutdown and crisis in Washington, you need to get inside the base of the Republican Party. That is what we are doing in the Republican Party Project and these focus groups with Evangelicals, Tea Party, and moderate Republicans. All the passion, nuances and […] Read more »
The House GOP’s 80-20 Problem
… Just three days into the shutdown, it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out which party is worse for wear. … For Boehner to navigate his conference out of the ideological corner his party has boxed itself into (partially as a result of its strategy in 2012 redistricting), the key […] Read more »
Nearly 9 in 10 Americans displeased with Washington
As the partial federal government shutdown continues with no break in the impasse between Democrats and Republicans in Congress, nearly nine in 10 Americans are unhappy with the way things are going in Washington, including 43 percent who are angry – up 13 points since March and the highest since […] Read more »
For Tea Party, Shutdown Is Worth The Pain
… The shutdown debate has demonstrated, yet again, that in an era of polarization, Americans are living in parallel political universes. Democrats, led by President Obama, complain that the House GOP is holding federal operations hostage by refusing to accept that the ACA is the settled law of the land. […] Read more »