WASHINGTON — A new poll showing 72 percent of Americans oppose a government shutdown to defund ObamaCare spells bad news for Republicans — but with a majority ensconced in safe House seats, the party can ride out a shutdown storm at the ballot box.
Until a sufficient number of Republicans start fearing that the blowback threatens their own political skins, the shutdown won’t get solved.
Just 17 out of 232 House Republicans represent districts that President Obama carried in 2012.
These members are the ones most apt to break ranks and embrace a “clean” government funding resolution demanded by the White House.
But when Long Island Rep. Pete King tried to organize such an effort Monday, he got only two fellow GOP backers.
On Tuesday, Rep. Scott Rigell, who represents the Newport News, Virginia-based district that Obama carried after repeated visits last year, became the third Republican to jump ship and call for a “clean” bill.
“Though I share the objective of every one of my Republican colleagues, I come to the conclusion, this is not a wise — it is not the best path,” he told The Post.
The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows sentiment running 72-22 percent against shutting the government to overturn the new health plan.
Independents — the key to swing district elections — oppose a shutdown by 74 to 19 percent.
But pollster Peter Brown said Obama shouldn’t take too much solace from the polls.
“Voters are angry at almost everyone in Washington over their inability to keep the trains running,” Brown explained. “But they are madder at the Republicans than the Democrats.”
So Republicans don’t have much to fear if Obama campaigns against them next year on the shutdown issue. Their bigger concern is getting knocked off in a primary if they look as if they’re caving to Democrats.