More than two in three Americans - and even more Republicans - have heard about a possible shutdown of the federal government. And in the latest Economist/YouGov Poll, half of those aware of the possibility of a shutdown expect it will happen.
43% of Americans think a government shutdown would affect them personally, including a majority of those 65 and older - most of whom receive Social Security checks from the government. The budget deficit is a major issue for the public - especially for Republicans. Nationally, it ranks fourth as the country's most important issue, behind the economy, health care and Social Security. For Republicans, it is second. In this week's poll, 37% of Republicans call the economy their most important issue; 22% name the deficit. Only 4 of Democrats cite the deficit. And it is an issue the President fares poorly on: more than twice as many disapprove of his handling of the deficit as approve.
