… At least so far, the standoff has been a political bloodbath for Republicans. And maybe that’s exactly what was needed to right the political system: The effort to gut Obamacare had to crash like this so that Republican leaders and lawmakers would find the courage to stand up to […] Read more »
Cruz scoffs at NBC/WSJ poll: ‘That’s not reflective of where this country is’
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz on Friday sought to cast doubt on the results of a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal that reflected widespread public blame toward the GOP for the government shutdown and Cruz’s own popularity suffering. After delivering a hard-charging defense this morning of a strategy linking funding the […] Read more »
Boehner, Reid, Cruz Down; Obama Up
House Speaker John Boehner lashed out last week at suggestions that there might be winners and losers in the government shutdown, saying “this isn’t some damn game.” But less than two weeks in, there do seem to be a few losers in the eyes of the public, Mr. Boehner among […] Read more »
Americans Down on D.C. Leaders Since Shutdown Began
Americans’ basic opinions of President Barack Obama and key congressional leaders are worse today than they were prior to the government shutdown. Net favorable ratings of Obama, House Speaker John Boehner, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell are at least 10 percentage points lower than before, with a smaller five-point […] Read more »
When elections used to have consequences
… In this modern era of politics — which includes the incredibly close 2000 presidential race and another close contest in 2004 — the 2012 election produced a clear-cut outcome. And as the saying goes, elections have consequences. It’s how Democratic victories in the 1930s paved the way for Franklin […] Read more »
Five myths about House Republicans
On most weekday mornings, House Republicans huddle in a windowless room in the Capitol basement. Over pastries and coffee, they confer with the leadership and discuss strategy. Sometimes they complain; sometimes they cheer. This past week, it’s been more of the former. As the tensions grow, the GOP’s internal debate […] Read more »