According to recent polls, the Republican party has lost substantial support since the start of the government shutdown.
The National Journal quotes pollster Jim Williams, “Democrats must pick up 17 seats to win control of the House. These poll results make clear that if the election were held today, such a pickup would be well within reach.”
Polls were conducted in 24 districts across America, targeting 600 to 700 registered voters in each area.
Among the Republicans taking a hit from media sources is Majority House Speaker John A. Boehner. President Barack Obama has held him responsible for the continuing government shutdown which he argues Boehner could end by calling for a vote.
Barack Obama said “I’m pretty willing to bet that there are enough votes in the House of Representatives right now to make sure that the United States doesn’t end up being a deadbeat [...] The only thing that’s preventing that from happening is Speaker Boehner calling the vote,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
It is unclear whether Democrats’ advantage over the GOP will last until next year’s midterm elections, but the recent polls suggest that Americans are not blaming President Barack Obama for the current shutdown.