Poll Watch: CNN/ORC Survey on a Federal Government Shutdown

CNN/ORC Survey on a Federal Government Shutdown

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 25% (36%)
• Bad thing 72% (59%)

Among Democrats

• Good thing 13% (21%)
• Bad thing 85% (75%)

Among Republicans

• Good thing 34% (53%)
• Bad thing 61% (39%)

Among Tea Party Supporters

• Good thing 48% (62%)
• Bad thing 47% (34%)

Among Independents

• Good thing 28% (35%)
• Bad thing 70% (59%)

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

• Republicans 47% (46%)
• Obama 33% (37%)
• Both (vol.) 17% (14%)

Among Democrats

• Republicans 76% (63%)
• Obama 13% (22%)
• Both (vol.) 8% (12%)

Among Republicans

• Obama 65% (60%)
• Republicans 15% (24%)
• Both (vol.) 17% (11%)

Among Independents

• Republicans 45% (48%)
• Obama 28% (34%)
• Both (vol.) 24% (16%)

Among Moderates

• Republicans 55% (51%)
• Obama 24% (31%)
• Both (vol.) 18% (15%)

Survey of 1,010 adults was conducted September 23-25, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points. Results from the poll conducted March 11-13, 2011 are in parentheses.