Charles Cameron, Professor of Politics and International Affairs:

"The shutdown is a striking example of contemporary 'blame game politics.' When you play the blame game, you act to cast an opponent in the worst possible light in front of voters. Here, somewhat unusually, both sides are playing the blame game as hard as they can - and very likely to succeed. If so, voters, like Mercutio, will cast 'a curse on both your houses.' Unfortunately, it will be the federal employees and those dependent on affected federal programs, especially the health insurance exchanges, who will bear real costs of the theatrics."