Majority of Americans Say "Shutdown Was a Victory for Trump and the Republican Party"

CBS Poll: 55% Say "Trump and Republicans Gained More"
Half of Democratic Supporters Say "Too Much Concession to Government and Ruling Party"

More than half of Americans believe that President Donald Trump and the ruling Republican Party achieved greater success in the federal government shutdown, which lasted a record 43 days before ending.

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by UPI News Agency

According to a public opinion poll conducted by CBS in the United States on November 13-14 (local time), immediately after the shutdown ended, and released on November 16, 55% of the 1,288 respondents said President Trump and the Republican Party achieved more of what they wanted as a result of the shutdown's conclusion.

Only 6% of respondents said the opposition Democratic Party was successful. Fifteen percent answered that both sides achieved similar results, while 24% said that neither side got what they wanted.

By party affiliation, 68% of Republican supporters and 50% of Democratic supporters said President Trump and the Republican Party were successful.

In contrast, only 15% of Democrats and 2% of Republicans believed the Democratic Party was successful. In addition, 55% of Democrats said their party conceded too much, while only 17% of Republicans felt the Republican Party made excessive concessions.

Sentiments regarding the shutdown negotiations also differed sharply between party supporters. Among Democratic supporters, the most common responses were frustration (48%), dissatisfaction (45%), pessimism (32%), and relief (27%). Among Republican supporters, the responses were relief (50%), satisfaction (44%), optimism (34%), and frustration (12%).

The results indicate significant dissatisfaction among Democratic supporters following the shutdown. The Democratic Party had insisted that the temporary budget bill to end the shutdown should include an extension of subsidies for Obamacare, but the government and the ruling party rejected this, arguing that illegal immigrants could benefit. As the shutdown ended without any substantial concessions and with some moderate lawmakers defecting, disappointment among Democratic supporters has grown.

With regard to health insurance, which was the central issue of this shutdown, 65% of respondents said they expect health insurance premiums to rise in the future, while 29% expect no change.

In overall evaluations of the response to the shutdown, only 35% of respondents said they support President Trump, while just 20% viewed the Democratic Party positively.