Barack Obama,  Democrats,  GOP,  Polling,  United States Budget

Poll Watch: Americans Would Blame Obama and Republicans About Equally If Government Shuts Down

Kind of a lose-lose according to a Pew Research Center Poll.

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.

The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted March 30-April 3 among 1,507 adults, finds that most (55%) want the lawmakers they agree with on this issue to be more willing to compromise, even if it means they pass a budget they disagree with. Far fewer (36%) want the lawmakers they agree with to stand by their principles, even if it means the government shuts down.

President Obama is sponsoring a meeting tomorrow at the White House to supposedly work out a deal between Democrats and Republicans. However, the President is playing the mediator and not the leader, so who knows how this will turn out.

On the other hand, Tea Party House members, prefer to stand on principle rather than compromise. Here are the numbers:

So, what does it all mean?

President Obama’s deal had better be a good one or the government WILL shut down for a while on Saturday.  There really is no RISK electorally to Tea Party conservative members of the House.