By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Several national polls conducted just before or during the government shutdown reveal that Americans are more likely to blame President Trump and Republicans. The polls show significant fluidity, however, as a considerable percentage of voters remain unsure of who to hold accountable. While different polls show slightly varying results, a common theme emerges with independents heavily blaming Republicans and Democrats also holding some responsibility. The impasse arose after Congress and Trump failed to agree on funding, with Democrats seeking concessions on the Affordable Care Act and Republicans refusing to negotiate before the government reopens.
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Early polls show Trump and the GOP taking more blame than Democrats for the shutdown. It seems pretty straightforward, doesn’t it? When one party controls the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, it’s almost impossible to avoid shouldering the primary responsibility when the government grinds to a halt. The comments here suggest that many people see the situation in exactly that light, and it’s not surprising.
The very fact that the Republicans hold all three branches of government makes it crystal clear who’s truly in charge. Trying to deflect blame onto the Democrats feels like a stretch, especially when the GOP has the power to make decisions and pass legislation. The calls for extending ACA subsidies and getting the government running again echo what many people seem to feel – that the focus should be on governing, not on playing the blame game.
It’s almost comical to watch the attempts to spin the narrative when one party has complete control. The “take it or leave it” approach mentioned in the comments is likely a key factor in this situation. The refusal to negotiate effectively, especially when the votes aren’t there to simply force through a plan, is often seen as a misstep. This rigid stance is not exactly winning them any favors in the eyes of the public, and rightfully so.
Interestingly, the idea that Trump himself has previously acknowledged the president’s responsibility for shutdowns comes up. This adds a layer of irony to the current situation. It’s hard to deny the president’s role when you’ve stated so yourself in the past. The fact that Trump has been responsible for a significant amount of shutdown time speaks volumes. It’s another piece of the puzzle that contributes to the perception of the GOP being the primary problem.
The polls might seem to be reflecting something obvious: those in power are responsible. It’s hard to escape the consequences when you control the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Any suggestion that Democrats are to blame just doesn’t add up.
The frustration with the media’s coverage is also apparent. There’s a sentiment that the focus should be on reporting the facts, not just analyzing polls about blame. The American people deserve to know who is making the decisions and why.
The comments reflect a widespread understanding. It doesn’t take a political expert to see that the GOP has the power. They can’t run to negotiate. They can’t run and hide. They have to actually govern, and the responsibility for the shutdown falls squarely on their shoulders. They are not victims here.
The idea that a few dissenting votes should somehow shift the blame is also addressed. When a party controls all the levers of power, it is up to them to get things done. The calls for a progressive wealth tax to fund ACA subsidies are a reminder that there are concrete policy solutions available. The party can choose to actually govern, but are unwilling to do so.
The final observation is that if the Republicans control everything, how can they deflect the blame? It’s hard, almost impossible. The reality, as stated in these comments, is that the GOP controls the government. They can’t just refuse to negotiate and then say it’s someone else’s fault. The voters are going to decide whose fault it actually is.