Even government shutdowns were better in the '90s
At least Clinton and Gingrich were talking
The first government shutdown in 17 years drags on, and people are getting sick of it.
The poll numbers released this week are nothing short of stunning. In an Associated Press-GfK poll, Congress got an absurd five percent approval rating. Meanwhile, Gallup took a trip down memory lane, comparing the current shutdown to the one in 1995-96 — and despite the ubiquity of Hootie and the Blowfish, Americans were more optimistic about the situation in the '90s than they are now:
Not only do more people think we're in a crisis now, they are also more critical of Washington. Today, 57 percent of Americans think worse of President Barack Obama because of his leadership during the shutdown, compared to only 49 percent who thought the same of President Bill Clinton.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Congressional lawmakers are hardly off the hook. Today, 61 percent of Americans view the "Republican leaders in Congress" more negatively because of the government shutdown, about the same percentage as in 1995.
That's no reason for the GOP to bust out the champagne. The current approval rating for the Republican Party is 28 percent — the worst number for either party since Gallup began recording such information in 1992.
Is the situation really this dire? Are the American people, with their memories of Michael Jordan and $1.06 gas, simply forgetting how bad 1995-96 was?
The sad truth is that Washington is far more dysfunctional now. Here is former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) recounting his relationship with Clinton:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
It is hard to imagine a similar relationship developing between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who unlike Gingrich does not speak for his whole caucus. Even if Boehner wanted to strike a deal with Obama, he would have to sell it to the Tea Party, an extremist wing Gingrich didn't have to worry about because Republicans represented much more moderate districts in 1995.
Back then, Republicans actually had to worry about being challenged by a Democrat, as opposed to today's polarized climate in which losing your job is only a compromise and a primary away. Hence the GOP's willingness to defund the government — and even send the U.S. into default.
This is all taking place in the aftermath of one of the worst recessions in American history. In 1995, the United States was in the middle of an economic boom, while today's economy is stagnant.
"This isn't to say that a government shutdown is unprecedented," The Daily Beast's Daniel Gross argues. "But a government shutdown in an economy that looks like today's economy is unprecedented."
The U.S. economy and Washington's reputation recovered after the last shutdown. It's not clear that the same is going to happen after this one.
Keith Wagstaff is a staff writer at TheWeek.com covering politics and current events. He has previously written for such publications as TIME, Details, VICE, and the Village Voice.
-
The Marbella Club at 70
The Blend A repeat guest admires the famed Spanish retreat's remarkable staying power
By Nick Foulkes Published
-
A bite-sized history of the canapé
The Blend Auguste Escoffier, who ran kitchens at The Savoy in London and The Ritz in Paris, set the standard for the modern canapé
By Simon Mills Published
-
Restorative fasting at the Buchinger Wilhelmi clinic
The Blend A 'regular' fast lasts six days at Germany's Buchinger Wilhelmi
By Bill Prince Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published