# What is public opinion on who is to blame for the shutdown? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 8, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722 "2013-10-08T21:29:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/121 "2013-10-12T07:13:25Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > OK, reality check. Assuming that, for whatever reason, Obama comes to the conclusion that the Insane Clown Posse will fucking do it, will send the our economy and God alone knows what all over the cliff… > > Doesn’t he _have_ to cave? If the damage to him is bad, and the damage to us is bad, but the alternative is _disaster_, isn’t it his duty to give up? No, because all that means is that they’ll do it again…and again…and again. At _best,_ you have them holding the country hostage every time they want something - and they’d use that leverage to turn the country into a dystopic nightmare. And _that_ assumes that they wouldn’t just force a default anyway, specifically to crash the world economy so they’d finally have their excuse to “starve the beast” and “drown the government in a bathtub”. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/122 "2013-10-12T13:08:05Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > To oversimplify, if he’s playing chicken with people who are too fucking stupid to flinch…then he _has_ to, right? I think you’re right. I think if the Pubs don’t solve this, he should and will. But his best play, imo, to let them run off the cliff and then step in at the last minute with the 14th amendment trick, because that would work in the short term and buy us time. He’ll be impeached for it, probably, but that’s ok because 1. The Senate won’t go for it so it will come to nothing and 2. It runs the clock while the Republicans go apeshit leading up to elections. Going the 14th amendment route will probably eventually end up before the supreme court, but again, that will take time. If the SC smacks him down (which I suspect they would) then he can go with the stupid trillion dollar coin trick. If the SC backs him on the 14th amendment, we end this stupid recurring debt ceiling problem once and for all. So I agree that Obama has to step in but agreeing to a Republican plan is not the strongest play. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/123 "2013-10-12T13:18:11Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > OK, reality check. Assuming that, for whatever reason, Obama comes to the conclusion that the Insane Clown Posse will fucking do it, will send the our economy and God alone knows what all over the cliff… > > Doesn’t he _have_ to cave? If the damage to him is bad, and the damage to us is bad, but the alternative is _disaster_, isn’t it his duty to give up? No, of course not. Showing them this is a valid tactic that will work is much much worse than the default. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/124 "2013-10-12T15:18:08Z")
I’m always pleased to be able to state a fact succinctly and without hesitation: I don’t know. Which brings up the question: who does? Anybody? A bunch of people I already regard as being pretty much nuts tell me not to worry, not a biggie. A few bond traders will have a difficult day, some money will be lost, but not a whole bunch. Other people, who’s expertise and opinion I have some trust in are lost in the search for the appropriate superlative: smoking ruin, zombie apocalypse, Armageddon without Jesus. Responses so far seem to be of the opinion that that giving in would be worse than seizing the bull by the tail and facing the situation. But does anybody really know? I have as much expertise in international finance as any other hippy in his later youth, which is to say _bupkis_. And I would truly love, love, love to see Obama grind the Insane Clown Posse into the muck. So I would therefore love to be re-assured. Can anybody here claim the expertise and prescience to do so? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/125 "2013-10-12T15:37:19Z")
> [@](#): > > seizing the bull by the tail and facing the situation A beautifully appropriate summation. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/126 "2013-10-14T19:45:04Z")
New polling but more of the same. [ABC News/Wash. Post:](http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/10/disapproval-of-gop-peaks-in-blame-for-the-budget-crisis/) > [@](#): > > A new high of 74 percent of Americans disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling Washington’s budget crisis, up significantly in the past two weeks and far exceeding disapproval of both President Obama and congressional Democrats on the issue. > > The latest ABC News/Washington Post poll finds that criticism of the GOP’s handling of the budget dispute has grown by 11 percentage points since just before the partial government shutdown began, from 63 to 70 and now 74 percent – clearly leaving the party with the lion’s share of blame. Indeed 54 percent now “strongly” disapprove. > > By contrast, 53 percent disapprove of Obama’s work on the issue, essentially flat since the crisis came to a head and a broad 21 points lower than disapproval of the Republicans. Fewer, as well, strongly disapprove of Obama’s performance, 39 percent. ---
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/127 "2013-10-14T19:56:13Z")
the right loses, not because their politics are bad (I think they are) but because they have people like this ass hat on their side: from cnn ““I call upon all of you to wage a second American nonviolent revolution, to use civil disobedience, and to demand that this president leave town, to get up, to put the Quran down, to get up off his knees, and to figuratively come out with his hands up,” said Larry Klayman of Freedom Watch, a conservative political advocacy group.” how can you win any battle with the public at large when all you do is talk the crazys?? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/128 "2013-10-14T20:53:10Z")
> [@Dob](#): > > the right loses, not because their politics are bad (I think they are) but because they have people like this ass hat on their side: > > from cnn > > ““I call upon all of you to wage a second American nonviolent revolution, to use civil disobedience, and to demand that this president leave town, to get up, to put the Quran down, to get up off his knees, and to figuratively come out with his hands up,” said Larry Klayman of Freedom Watch, a conservative political advocacy group.” > > how can you win any battle with the public at large when all you do is talk the crazys?? As someone on DailyKos observed, not only is that K-razy, but it illustrates that at the bottom, this has nothing to do with concerns about the ACA and everything to do with the far right’s issues with Obama. Who, I note in passing, happens to be a black man. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/129 "2013-10-14T21:13:55Z")
> [@Dob](#): > > the right loses, not because their politics are bad (I think they are) but because they have people like this ass hat on their side: > > from cnn > > ““I call upon all of you to wage a second American nonviolent revolution, to use civil disobedience, and to demand that this president leave town, to get up, to put the Quran down, to get up off his knees, and to figuratively come out with his hands up,” said Larry Klayman of Freedom Watch, a conservative political advocacy group.” > > how can you win any battle with the public at large when all you do is talk the crazys?? Oh c’mon. Like the Left doesn’t any people who are batshit. Have read some posts on the board? Bringing up individual nutjobs is silly. It’s that much not too dissimilar comes from those who win elected offices and that pandering to them is a requirement for making it to the general or even keeping a speakership that makes them lose the bulk of the American public. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/130 "2013-10-14T21:15:42Z")
I am on the conservative wing of the extreme left. Don’t remember the last time anybody pandered to me like the Pubbies are slobberingly fellating the Tea Party. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/131 "2013-10-14T21:40:16Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Well they’re both still unpopular among conservatives. Which shows how far out of touch they are with the American People. In other news… Who is _actually_ to blame for the shutdown? Not opinion, but _actually?_ [The Republicans, of course](http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/14/house-gop-changed-rules-before-shutdown-to-prevent-senate-bill-from-easily-returning-to-house-floor/). > [@](#): > > **House GOP changed rules before shutdown to prevent Senate bill from easily returning to House floor** > > \ > > [Rep. Chris] van Hollen continues, “On October 1st, the R’s passed a Rule to change the Standing Rules of the House so only Cantor or his designee could bring up Senate bill for a vote. I am told that we never played with this Rule when we were last in Majority and we are looking into the earlier history of this matter. In other words, **they shut down the government and then changed the House Rules to keep it shut down.** ” ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/132 "2013-10-14T21:42:57Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I am on the conservative wing of the extreme left. Meaning, when we hang the capitalists from the lampposts you won’t insist on preliminary torture? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/133 "2013-10-14T23:35:47Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Meaning, when we hang the capitalists from the lampposts you won’t insist on preliminary torture? We will still have plenty of need for baristas, bicycle messengers and domestic servants. In most cases, I see no need for anything more punitive than that. Naturally, this will come after completing a six month course in the Jane Fonda Self-Criticism and Aerobics Camp. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/134 "2013-10-14T23:39:25Z")
Following on a theme developing in my curiosity: where the hell is the Tea Party? Where’s all the totally massive, huge rallies slavishly doted on by Fox? Isn’t this their “moment”? Shouldn’t they be flexing their massive populist muscles to support their heros? Where’d they go? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/135 "2013-10-14T23:43:13Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Following on a theme developing in my curiosity: where the hell is the Tea Party? Where’s all the totally massive, huge rallies slavishly doted on by Fox? Isn’t this their “moment”? Shouldn’t they be flexing their massive populist muscles to support their heros? Where’d they go? [The White House. With Cruz, Palin, and a Cornfed battle-flag.](http://colorlines.com/archives/2013/10/ted_cruz_sarah_palin_and_confederate_flag_speak_at_white_house_rally.html) 'Tweren’t pretty. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/136 "2013-10-14T23:54:19Z")
Hmm. A whole bunch of angry white folks waving a Confederate flag in front of a black family’s house. And yet it’s somehow crazy to assume the worse about their intentions? I’m with **luci** on this. There’s no Democratic analogue to these wackjobs. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/137 "2013-10-15T00:35:21Z")
[![](https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/files/2013/10/606budgetpoll1015.jpg) ](https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/files/2013/10/606budgetpoll1015.jpg) It’s also why the Republicans are in full surrender mode. I wish someone would tape this graph to Michelle Bachmann’s desk. On the other hand, I’m not sure she understands graphs. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/138 "2013-10-15T01:03:30Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/files/2013/10/606budgetpoll1015.jpg](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/files/2013/10/606budgetpoll1015.jpg) > > It’s also why the Republicans are in full surrender mode. > > I wish someone would tape this graph to Michelle Bachmann’s desk. On the other hand, I’m not sure she understands graphs. And now [Bachmann is trying to schedule actual impeachment hearings.](http://www.codewit.com/north-america/13034-house-republicans-schedule-obama-impeachment-hearings) **This week.** > [@](#): > > Republicans in the House of Representatives have scheduled impeachment proceedings against President Obama, claiming his inability to halt the federal government shutdown makes him unfit for office. > > Congresswoman Michele Bachmann introduced a resolution to impeach Obama this morning and referred the matter to the House Judiciary Committee. Senior aides close to judiciary chairman Bob Goodlatte say hearings will begin Thursday. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/139 "2013-10-15T01:30:02Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > And now [Bachmann is trying to schedule actual impeachment hearings.](http://www.codewit.com/north-america/13034-house-republicans-schedule-obama-impeachment-hearings) **This week.** Since you saw fit to multi-post this, I will too: It’s a fake. No real news site is reporting this. “[codewit.com](http://codewit.com)” filled with Nigerian news. BrainGlutton, check your cites closer. Seriously. This is ridiculous. You aren’t helping. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722/140 "2013-10-15T01:32:00Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Following on a theme developing in my curiosity: where the hell is the Tea Party? Where’s all the totally massive, huge rallies slavishly doted on by Fox? Isn’t this their “moment”? Shouldn’t they be flexing their massive populist muscles to support their heros? Where’d they go? Texas conservative talk radio is practically heralding Cruz as the fucking messiah. One talk show host said it fills his heart with warmth to see civil disobedience, (WRT the WWII memorial) seeing fed up patriots push away the barricades. You could tell the ass hat practically had a hard on at the thought of this civil disobedience is just the tip of the iceberg. Some of these fuckers really do want to see Humpty Dumpty fall off the wall, thinking they’ll be able to put him back together again in their own fucking image. Yeah, good luck with that douche bags. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-public-opinion-on-who-is-to-blame-for-the-shutdown/670722.md?page=8)