Rove warns GOP: Gov't shutdown will likely boost Obama

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I rarely like what he has to say but have always admired his political skill. He knows what he's talking about. Let's hope the Tea Partiers ignore him.

Rove warns Republicans: Shutdown could boost Obama

By: CNN Political Producer Alexander Mooney

Washington (CNN) – Furloughed jobs, interrupted services, and the potential economic ramifications aside, top Republican strategist Karl Rove is warning a government shutdown is likely to strengthen President Obama's hand as he heads into his reelection campaign.

In his weekly polling memo, Rove notes the 1995 government shutdown bolstered President Clinton's image in the eyes of voters as a strong leader, positioning him for a relatively easy reelection victory one year later.

"The shutdowns helped improve Clinton's political standing, boosting both his approval rating and perceptions of him as a strong leader," writes Rove. "At the time, poll watchers noted that, 'the only time Clinton's ratings have improved substantially the past year as a result of his actions has been when he adopted a strategy of confrontation.'"

Rove reports Clinton's approval rating saw nearly a double-digit jump during the 1995 government shutdown and continued to climb as the reelection campaign began in earnest.

Meanwhile, while only 37 percent of voters viewed Clinton as a strong leader in June of 1995, that number shot up to 53 percent six months later as a result of his confrontations with then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich and other Republican leaders over the budget issue.

"While the government shutdowns didn't jeopardize Republicans' hold on Congress, they helped President Clinton position himself for a successful 1996 reelection," concludes Rove. "President Obama's ratings as a strong leader have slipped this year…Republicans should be careful not to let him recover as he gears up for his 2012 reelection campaign."

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Sad part of this (per usual) is that the Dems are very much to blame for all of this...

They had a chance to pass a budget last year, now they are just posturing..

Of course, this was the plan all along.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Sad part of this (per usual) is that the Dems are very much to blame for all of this...

They had a chance to pass a budget last year, now they are just posturing..

Of course, this was the plan all along.

This is true. But it matters little. Fact is that the GOP wanted to govern and now it's show time. They ran on a jobs and fiscal responsibility agenda. And here they're focused on eliminating jobs w/ miniscule impact on the fiscal situation. That's not responsible governing. That's not what the people expect. The people want to get things done rather than dragged out and held up for meaningless and insignificant differences.

[patient2010 93]

This is true. But it matters little. Fact is that the GOP wanted to govern and now it's show time. They ran on a jobs and fiscal responsibility agenda. And here they're focused on eliminating jobs w/ miniscule impact on the fiscal situation. That's not responsible governing. That's not what the people expect. The people want to get things done rather than dragged out and held up for meaningless and insignificant differences.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

This is true. But it matters little. Fact is that the GOP wanted to govern and now it's show time. They ran on a jobs and fiscal responsibility agenda. And here they're focused on eliminating jobs w/ miniscule impact on the fiscal situation. That's not responsible governing. That's not what the people expect. The people want to get things done rather than dragged out and held up for meaningless and insignificant differences.

Which is stupid.

If these politicians were smart, they would have a 'continuation' of the current budget for another 3 months and actually work on a REAL budget together.

One that is hell bent on cutting spending where it can (and where it should even if it hurts people and they lose their cushion of a government job).

We are in a horrid debt crisis right now and as I've stated before in the past, the ONLY reason why we are even still afloat as a nation and not royally screwed, is that we can continue to print money without a huge consequence. All of that changes if the IMF gets its way though.

Even so still, it's not responsible and smart to continue spending out the ####### and devaluing the dollar and causing commodity prices to go up.

All actions have a cause and effect and politicians on both sides of the aisle either are ignorant of this, or just don't give a damn. I'm better on the latter.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

This is true. But it matters little. Fact is that the GOP wanted to govern and now it's show time. They ran on a jobs and fiscal responsibility agenda. And here they're focused on eliminating jobs w/ miniscule impact on the fiscal situation. That's not responsible governing. That's not what the people expect. The people want to get things done rather than dragged out and held up for meaningless and insignificant differences.

The reps have passed a budget. This is something the dems didn't do in 2 years. The fault of this lies entirely with the dems. It is not show time since the dems can hold the curtain. It is hard to lead with control of only one house. Next year if the reps get the senate and hold the house then you can hold their feet to the fire and I would agree with you. Until then they have no more control than they did when they didn't hold either house.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The reps have passed a budget. This is something the dems didn't do in 2 years. The fault of this lies entirely with the dems. It is not show time since the dems can hold the curtain. It is hard to lead with control of only one house. Next year if the reps get the senate and hold the house then you can hold their feet to the fire and I would agree with you. Until then they have no more control than they did when they didn't hold either house.

Hey, tell it to Karl. He's the one saying that the GOP is helping Obama with their lack of focus on what really matters.

[Zero Sum 305]

This is true. But it matters little. Fact is that the GOP wanted to govern and now it's show time. They ran on a jobs and fiscal responsibility agenda. And here they're focused on eliminating jobs w/ miniscule impact on the fiscal situation. That's not responsible governing. That's not what the people expect. The people want to get things done rather than dragged out and held up for meaningless and insignificant differences.

Exactly. While they share in the blame- its up to those in power now to do something about it. And those in power now include the GOP. Political posturing, not spending reduction.

What smart politicos would do is give part of their salaries to the military families and furloughed employees affected by this potential shutdown. Even though the Tea Party is OK with these people going for broke.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

We are about to see another boring pointless momentum change in favor of the democrats. Our government sucks. Where is my gun, I'm going to go join Paul's militia.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

We are about to see another boring pointless momentum change in favor of the democrats. Our government sucks. Where is my gun, I'm going to go join Paul's militia.

I think this time we will see a continued shift to the right. The posturing by the dems will backfire on them. Most of America is now awake to the huge deficits we now have and they see that the dems are arguing over pennies when trillions need to be cut. The GOP will get the senate next year and maybe even the WH. Then it will be their turn to screw things up again. Ok, your right. Maybe I should join the militia as well. I will meet you there.

[mawilson 2,133]

I rarely like what he has to say but have always admired his political skill. He knows what he's talking about. Let's hope the Tea Partiers ignore him.

The guy is a walking encyclopædia of election-related facts and statistics. Truly impressive.

[Zero Sum 305]

We are about to see another boring pointless momentum change in favor of the democrats. Our government sucks. Where is my gun, I'm going to go join Paul's militia.

It is what will likely happen. This cycle will be repeated most likely, and clueless people that ignore history will argue the same things again.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The guy is a walking encyclopædia of election-related facts and statistics. Truly impressive.

Rove is a political genius. Plain and simple. If I was in politics, I'd listen to him.