The shutdown only hurt the Republican party’s image because one, the media refused (as usual) to report the truth, such as closing memorials to vets costing more than to have let them remain open, and two, because the GOPe tried to distance itself from Cruz and doing the right thing, like the unprincipled cowards that they are.
“The shutdown only hurt the Republican party’s image because...”
That’s GOP-e talking points.
I’m not sure there’s any evidence for it.
The impact of the shut down on public attitudes seems way way exaggerated by the likes of Michael Medved, you and other establishment anti-Ted Cruz Republicans.