Poll Watch: CNN/Opinion Research Survey on a Federal Government Shutdown

CNN/Opinion Research Survey on a Federal Government Shutdown

When it comes to dealing with the tough choices involved both in cutting programs to reduce the budget deficit and still maintaining needed federal programs, whose approach do you prefer: the Republicans in Congress or President Obama's?

• Republicans in Congress 47% (43%)
• Obama 43% (46%)

Among Democrats

• Obama 77% (80%)
• Republicans in Congress 14% (10%)

Among Republicans

• Republicans in Congress 92% (89%)
• Obama 4% (5%)

Among Independents

• Obama 43% (49%)
• Republicans in Congress 42% (37%)

Suppose the federal government had to shut down for a few days because Congress did not pass a new spending bill. Would you consider that a good thing for the country or a bad thing for the country?

• Good thing 36%
• Bad thing 59%

Among Democrats

• Good thing 21%
• Bad thing 75%

Among Republicans

• Good thing 53%
• Bad thing 39%

Among Tea Party Supporters

• Good thing 62%
• Bad thing 34%

Among Independents

• Good thing 35%
• Bad thing 59%

Now suppose the federal government had to shut down for a few weeks because Congress did not pass a new spending bill. Would you consider that a good thing for the country or a bad thing for the country?

• Good thing 24%
• Bad thing 73%

Among Democrats

• Good thing 9%
• Bad thing 89%

Among Republicans

• Good thing 39%
• Bad thing 57%

Among Tea Party Supporters

• Good thing 52%
• Bad thing 46%

Among Independents

• Good thing 26%
• Bad thing 71%

If the federal government shuts down, do you think that Barack Obama or the Republicans in Congress would be more responsible for that?

• Republicans 46%
• Obama 37%
• Both (vol.) 14%

Among Democrats

• Republicans 63%
• Obama 22%
• Both (vol.) 12%

Among Republicans

• Obama 60%
• Republicans 24%
• Both (vol.) 11%

Among Independents

• Republicans 48%
• Obama 34%
• Both (vol.) 16%

Survey of 1,023 adults was conducted March 11-13, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points. Results from the poll conducted January 14-16, 2011 are in parentheses.