With an April 8 deadline approaching for a possible shutdown of the federal government, the public remains divided over whether congressional Republicans or the Obama administration would be more to blame if a shutdown occurs.
Currently, 39% say Republicans would be more to blame if the two sides cannot agree on a budget and the government shuts down, 36% say the Obama administration, and 16% volunteer both sides.
These opinions are little changed from late February. However, opinions are far different now than they were during a similar dispute in 1995, shortly before the government did shut down. In November 1995, a few days before the government shut down, 46% said it would be mainly the Republicans’ fault while 27% said the Clinton administration would be more at fault, according to a Washington Post/ABC News survey.
There is a major difference in the setting: in 1995, Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress, whereas in 2011, they only control the House. Also note the difference in the budget situation:
.......................................................Fiscal 1995.......Fiscal 2011
Deficit as Percentage of GDP............2.2.................9.8
Debt as Percentage of GDP.............49.1...............69.4
