Polls show voters grew more frustrated with Washington as the government shutdown dragged on. Now that there’s a deal, it’s unclear whether that anger may weigh on voters’ minds ahead of next year’s elections.
47-year-old Bonnie Clark of Gifford says she doesn’t support the Affordable Care Act, but says defunding the law shouldn’t have been used as a bargaining chip to keep the government open.
CLARK: “It still stems back to being a veteran, being part of the government, you know relying on a paycheck from the government, and for them to bicker over something as meaningless as that when we have people oversees that are fighting for this country.”
Clark herself served in the first Gulf War. She says when it’s time to vote next year, she won’t forget about the shutdown.
CLARK: “I think it’ll make a big impact on the next election.”
JACKSON: “You know, people have such a short memory. Six weeks ago we all thought we were about to go to war, and it all just went away.”
John Jackson with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute says if history is any guide, voters will soon forget about the shutdown. We’ll soon find out. The temporary deal funds government operations through early next year, just before the March Primary.