Emily Ekins on Why the Government Shutdown Poses Little Political Risk For Politicians

|

Closed sign
Ken Hawkins

The first partial shutdown of the federal government in 17 years took effect today, because President Obama and partisans in Congress failed to agree on a budget. Recent polls have suggested that Republicans in Congress will be blamed for the shutdown more than the President by a margin of 46 to 36 percent respectively. However, writes Reason Foundation Polling Director Emily Ekins, Gallup's historical data suggests that neither Congressional Republicans nor President Obama will experience sustained public backlash in the wake of the shutdown.