Poll: Vast majority of Americans disapprove of GOP's shutdown stance

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds massive disapproval of Republicans in Congress

Published October 7, 2013 8:02PM (EDT)

                                                     (Reuters/Jim Bourg)
(Reuters/Jim Bourg)

A new poll from the Washington Post and ABC News finds 70 percent of respondents disapprove of how congressional Republicans have handled the government shutdown, with a full 51 percent "strongly" disapproving.

While respondents' estimation of Obama's performance has slightly improved since the previous Post/ABC poll — moving from 41 to 45 percent approval — congressional Democrats have seen their disapproval rating increase from 56 to 61 percent. Republicans, meanwhile, have seen their disapproval rating increase by seven points, moving from 63 to 70 percent.

More from the Washington Post:

The wide unpopularity of Republicans in Congress in budget talks is in large part due to a schism within Republicans themselves. By 59 to 39 percent, conservative Republicans approve of the way their party’s members of congress have handled budget negotiations in combined interviews over two weeks. But Republicans who identify as moderate or liberal split narrowly: 44 percent approval to 49 percent disapproval.

This ideological split within the Republican party comes into sharper focus when looking at the most conservative party members. Republicans who describe themselves as “very conservative” approve of Republicans in Congress by 68 to 32 percent. Those who are just “somewhat conservative” split 51 to 45 percent in two weeks of combined poll results.


By Elias Isquith

Elias Isquith is a former Salon staff writer.

MORE FROM Elias Isquith


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Abc News Barack Obama Democratic Party Government Shutdown Poll Republican Party The Washington Post