It has been just a week now that the government somewhat shut down, and at least one poll is trending as we had foreseen.

Republicans are seeing their disapproval numbers increase by 7 points since September 29 to 70% disapproval. Their net approval ratings have only dropped by two points, though, which indicates that a core constituency is holding on for approval. Since most conservatives are not happy with the GOP getting into this mess, this isn’t terribly surprising.

As the Czar predicted, the Democrats are faring almost as badly. 61% of the country—a five point increase—are unhappy with the Democrats; their approval has increased by only one point. This means that folks are making up their minds and leaving the undecided category for both parties. Do note that with the margin of error, both parties could be neck-and-neck in unpopularity right now. This is, alas, also not a surprise.

Fundamentally, it shows that Democratic messaging—which consists solely of blaming Republicans—is not working. As word continues to spill out about the theatrical nonsense of the Democrats, this will evolve. But right now, Republicans and Democrats are getting blamed just about equally.

Interesting that the WaPo /ABCNews poll titles it “Republicans lose ground in budget battle,” given the margin of error does not make that uniquely true.

But the poll also looks at Barack Obama’s repuation in the budget fiasco. Also as predicted—and pathetically decried by the President—more Americans are blaming him than not. 51% of the country is not pleased, and only 45% (a sufficient spread) think he isn’t to blame. This is also meshing well with his approval ratings, which at this point are disapproval ratings around 52%.

Small surprise that the Democrats are shifting to make Senator Harry Reid—who let’s face it is a seriously risky choice—to act as the spokesperson for the Democrats going forward; Barack Obama is being “benched” to keep him out of the media until further notice. As with other recent strategies, the Czar is not very confident that one will work for them, either.

The Czar of Muscovy

Божію Поспѣшествующею Милостію Мы, Дима Грозный Императоръ и Самодержецъ Всероссiйскiй, цѣсарь Московскiй. The Czar was born in the steppes of Russia in 1267, and was cheated out of total control of all Russia upon the death of Boris Mikhailovich, who replaced Alexander Yaroslav Nevsky in 1263. However, in 1283, our Czar was passed over due to a clerical error and the rule of all Russia went to his second cousin Daniil (Даниил Александрович), whom Czar still resents. As a half-hearted apology, the Czar was awarded control over Muscovy, inconveniently located 5,000 miles away just outside Chicago. He now spends his time seething about this and writing about other stuff that bothers him.