By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Initial polling reveals a majority of Americans blame Donald Trump and Republicans for the government shutdown, as opposed to Democrats. The Washington Post poll indicated 47% of adults blame Trump and the Republicans, while 30% blame the Democrats. Despite the President’s assertion that Republicans are “winning” and blaming Democrats for the impasse, federal workers are beginning to feel the shutdown’s effects. The White House has threatened mass layoffs if the Democrats do not resolve the ongoing stalemate.
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Trump and Republicans are being blamed more than Dems for government shutdown, early polling finds.
Well, the headline isn’t exactly shocking, is it? The early polls are showing that a significant portion of the American public is placing the blame for the government shutdown squarely on the shoulders of Trump and the Republican Party. And while it’s probably not a clean sweep – these things rarely are – the data suggests that the public perception is leaning heavily in one direction. The numbers themselves paint a pretty clear picture.
According to a Washington Post poll conducted right at the outset of the shutdown, nearly half of all adults surveyed, a solid 47%, are pointing the finger at Trump and the Republicans. The Democrats are drawing the ire of about 30% of respondents. The fact that more people correctly identified the Republicans as the cause of the government shutdown is the biggest takeaway, and the most reassuring. It also seems like the public understands who holds the power. With Trump in the White House and Republicans controlling both houses of Congress, it’s not exactly a mystery who’s steering the ship. It is their fault and they did it.
But it’s the breakdown among independent voters that’s really telling. These are the folks often seen as the swing voters, the ones who can make or break an election. And in this poll, independents are decisively blaming Trump and the GOP. More than half of them, 51%, are putting the responsibility on the Republicans, while only 22% are blaming the Democrats.
Now, let’s be honest, we’re not talking about some kind of perfect consensus here. There’s always going to be a segment of the population that’s unsure, or simply doesn’t pay enough attention to the details to form a strong opinion. About 23% of those polled are in this camp. However, the fact that the majority of those with an opinion are placing the blame on the Republicans is the relevant part of these findings.
And it’s worth noting that even some Republicans are acknowledging the problem. Nearly one in ten Republicans (8%) blamed their own party for the shutdown, while a quarter (25%) were unsure of who to blame. It speaks to a certain internal fracturing, a possible disconnect between the leadership and the base.
When the party has the Presidency, the House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court, the public is clearly able to connect the dots and assign responsibility. It’s almost like people think you’re in control of the government when your party has the Presidency, The House, The Senate, and the Supreme Court.
It’s also clear that the narrative that Republicans are creating and trying to sell isn’t exactly sticking. The “blame the Democrats” strategy doesn’t seem to be resonating as effectively this time around. This shutdown is, from all indications, a Republican creation. The fact that the Republicans are the ones who initiated the shutdown, and are now sitting back to see who will be blamed more for it, is, shall we say, telling of the situation.
One can’t help but wonder if the public is starting to see through the patterns. For years, Republicans have made government shutdowns a regular occurrence, a tactic in their political playbook. It is a tactic that seems to have consequences when it comes to the current situation.
The whole dynamic is, to put it mildly, a bit absurd. With Republicans in control of every branch of government, it is hard to deny their full responsibility in this crisis. It’s a clear indication that the public is starting to understand what’s happening.
And while there will always be those who cling to the old lines, the data suggests that the message isn’t getting through as effectively as it once did. Even the most dedicated base is going to have to take a look at the situation.
As for what comes next? Well, that’s anyone’s guess. But one thing seems clear: the public is watching, and they’re taking notes. And it seems they are not happy with the people in charge.