Would a Government shutdown help or hurt Republicans?

[Roemerista]

It seems to be on every Democratic pundit's tongue, the possibility of a 1995 repeat. For obvious reasons if it played out the same the interest is there. The swing helped a less popular Clinton to smash the Republican Brand, and Newt was destroyed in the publicity battle.

Despite my firm belief that it is an unwinnable public image battle for the republicans, my mind is changing. This is not 1995, Obama is not Clinton, and Newt is not there. If the GOP could play its cards right, it could spin the failure to pass a budget previously, as a political slight of hand at the public's expense. Meaning that the budget was not passed because they "knew" hard choices would need to be made, and who better than a GOP house to make them look like the "bad guys." True? Who cares. A story that only enforces our negative image of politicians? Why sure. But that is the line Fox would certainly pick up, its attack has an "extra" dividend because it implies the inability for Dems to govern in such a crisis.

And by crisis I do mean the deficient. Like it or not, the Tea party was successful in making that the topic that is on everyone's minds these days. Other policy issues, such as the prolonged unemployment, are seemingly getting the "shaft" so to speak; the effects of it are seemingly neglected by the media.

Again this is not 1995, and the Republicans also have their news mouthpieces ready to spew their spin in place, to a far greater degree than before.

[Franzl]

I don't think it can help them. Obama will still look like the pragmatic one if it comes to that.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

This is one of those questions that you answer automatically by just reading the question aloud and pretending that someone else had asked it.

[opebo]

I am assuming a zero-sum game, it is really a question of who is going to be blamed for it.

Oh come on.  How could it 'help' them?

[Antonio the Sixth]

This is one of those questions that you answer automatically by just reading the question aloud and pretending that someone else had asked it.

Very well said.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Did Government shutdown help Gingrich?

[President Mitt]

Did Government shutdown help Gingrich?

The problem with that logic is that 1995 is not 2011. People are a lot more pissed off at government in general these days than in 1995. There was actually a survey on CNN where only 13% of respondents thought that a government shutdown would be a 'major' crisis.

Also, Gingrich acted like a douche bag, and was perceived as one on a daily basis. Boehner is much more low key than Gingrich.

[Roemerista]

I am assuming a zero-sum game, it is really a question of who is going to be blamed for it.

Oh come on.  How could it 'help' them?

Why it matters who wins the "Spin" game, and who the public ends up blaming for the shut down. If the Dems are put at "fault" than it would quite clearly help them politically.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I will momentarilly indulge in this Horserace BS.


It depends on how it goes.


Gio gets the key point. Gingrich was ostentatious and very petty (They made us sit at the back of the plane). Boehner is not that at all. The deficit is far larger and the need for cuts is far more established in the minds of the public. I don't think there will be a lot of negative consquences, especially if Boehner maintains his stance only as a demand that whatever deal has cuts in the end. The throws open a lot of doors for potential compromise as well. Bottomline, as long as the GOP isn't shutting down the gov't for getting seated in back or wanting to shoot and eat big bird, they likely won't get hurt at all. If Obama/Reid takes a position of opposing all cuts in the CR , then its the Dems who may suffer.

[Хahar 🤔]

I will momentarilly indulge in this Horserace BS.

How magnanimous of you!

[opebo]

Why it matters who wins the "Spin" game, and who the public ends up blaming for the shut down. If the Dems are put at "fault" than it would quite clearly help them politically.

But it would be a Republican action, and the only reason they do anything budgetary is to keep taxes obscenely low on the rich.  I'm sure you're right, it may be possible to spin that successfully, but it will be tough.

[Mr. Taft Republican]

Will a government shutdown help anyone? Nah.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Gingrich was ostentatious and very petty (They made us sit at the back of the plane). Boehner is not that at all.

You're right, Boehner is far more incompetent at his job.

[Pheurton Skeurto]

Option 4.

[CarlSchulz]

Option 4.

[feeblepizza]

Option 4

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I think people who rely on the Government won't realise how dependent they ARE.