Two questions. First, how many times have the Republicans "shut down" the government? [View all]

Last edited Thu Mar 13, 2025, 06:58 PM - Edit history (1)

Second, how many elections did it cost them?

My belief is that a screwed-up economy or screwed-up government services gets pinned on the party in charge, regardless of who is actually responsible.

It is very early in this cycle. We know that many voters have short memories, don't pay attention to the process (unlike DUers, who watch every move), and have a shaky conception about the cause and effect of economic problems. It is still over 20 months until midterms. By then we will have moved on through dozens of crises and distractions.

Right now, Trump is very publicly screwing the economy with his incoherent and capricious policy announcements. A government shutdown would be seen by most voters as a continuation of his screw-ups. I doubt that a government shutdown, under these circumstances, would be a big election factor. Voters will largely blame the Trump-Elon axis and vote for change if their economic and political circumstances are dire on election day. They will not remember, if the past is a guide, the specifics of how we got in trouble. They won't care who voted for what bill. They will just blame the people who are very publicly in charge and unstable.

We have power. We need to use it.