The whole idea of a government slowdown being a catastrophe has been sole be the media. It is the democrat legislative debate equivalent of the race card.
It doe not matter whose idea it is, or, who is propagating the false narrative that government shutdown is very bad. What really matters is that the 80% low information voters already believe it will be republicans to blame for any shutdown.
To win in 2016, republicans do not need government shutdown. All they need to do is keep the immigration issue alive, and in the news. Even the low information voters are against illegals flooding in and taking their jobs.
If the rats win White House in 2016, nothing good will happen on immigration or Obamacare. Front and center for republicans the goal should be to win White House. The employer mandate takes place at end of 2015. That will be a plus for GOP in 2016 presidential elections.