Washington and Republicans Benefit From Budget Deal

After a year of political strife, Washington was hugely benefited from the final budget deal. The size of the agreement or its contribution to addressing the overall fiscal problems were not the factors affecting its impact with the public. It was the positive image of compromise and producing a solution to a problem that most people felt could hurt the economy if not addressed.

Although Republicans in the poll were divided in their approval, moderate Republicans and independents offered support, exactly the groups that have been so angry with the issue of the political system failing due to partisan strife and unproductive gridlock.

Accomplishing something that helps the economy (and is now cited as one of the factors contributing to the end of year acceleration of the economic recovery) has improved the Republicans’ positioning related to dealing with the economy (the public’s top issue). Republicans now lead Obama on the issue by four points. Last December, they were behind Obama by 18 points.

Part of the shift came from women and younger Americans, a sign that Democrats have vulnerabilities if Republicans can produce a strategy and agenda that attracts them. Although no data has been published yet confirming the positive buzz heard from Speaker John Boehner’s criticism of Washington interest groups contributing to gridlock, party moderates and independents seemed to appreciate it and Democrats looked nervous.

See Washington Post: Obama suffers most from year of turmoil, poll finds