The government shutdown that kicked off on Oct. 1 has the White House feeling bolder than a bull in a china shop.

This standoff, now stretching into weeks, pits the administration against congressional Democrats, with the White House urging Republicans to stand firm as public opinion appears to tilt in their favor, as Axios reports.

The shutdown began when funding lapsed at the start of the month, grinding federal operations to a halt. Both sides dug in, with Democrats initially crowing that the public backed their stance. But oh, how the tables turn.

Public opinion shifts

Early on, Democrats claimed a comfortable lead in the blame game, boasting a 13-point advantage over who was at fault for the shutdown. That lead has now shriveled to less than half, with a net shift of seven percentage points against them in just two weeks. Polling data, as seen by Axios, shows their net favorability dropping six points, while Republicans gained four.

Now, only 33% of voters view congressional Democrats favorably, compared to a whopping 54% who don’t, leaving them with a net negative rating of -21%. Republicans aren’t exactly beloved, sitting at a net negative of -8%, but they’re looking less like the villains here. It’s a slow burn, but the numbers don’t lie.

White House internal polls reveal 44% of voters pin the blame on President Donald Trump and the GOP-led Congress, while 38% point fingers at Democrats. That’s a tighter split than before, and consistent with YouGov/Economist surveys showing Democrats catching more heat as the shutdown drags on. Time, it seems, is playing for the home team.

White House stands firm

The administration isn’t just sitting back and watching the polls -- officials are actively coaching congressional Republicans to keep their spines stiff. No negotiations under duress, they say, refusing to budge even as Democrats demand extensions for Affordable Care Act tax credits in return for a clean funding bill. It’s a classic stalemate, but one side smells blood.

“Democrats are taking on water. And we have a higher pain tolerance,” a senior administration official told Axios. Well, isn’t that a polite way to say they’re ready to outlast the opposition?

The White House is doubling down with hardball tactics, following through on threats to slash federal jobs under a “Reduction in Force” policy. Their budget office even hinted that furloughed workers might not see backpay, a gut punch to many who lean Democrat in their voting and donations. It’s a calculated move, especially since these workers often hail from blue-leaning states like Maryland, Hawaii, and Virginia.

Democrats face mounting pressure

Democrats, for their part, seem caught off guard by the shifting narrative. They’re still pushing for those tax credit extensions, but the public isn’t buying their “we’re the good guys” routine as much anymore. Could it be that folks are tired of the same old progressive playbook?

“Trump won’t negotiate with hostage-takers in Congress because it inspires more hostage-taking,” another senior administration official told Axios. That’s a sharp jab at Democrat tactics, framing them as the ones holding the government ransom. And honestly, it’s a line that might just stick with frustrated voters.

Unlike the 35-day shutdown of 2018-2019, where President Trump fretted over taking the blame, he’s showing no such jitters this time around. Back then, the optics weighed heavily on him; now, he seems unfazed, perhaps emboldened by the data trending his way. It’s a different Trump, playing a longer game.

Who will blink first?

As the shutdown grinds on, the question looms: Who can endure the public’s growing impatience? Federal workers are caught in the crossfire, facing job cuts and uncertain pay, while both sides trade barbs over who’s truly at fault. It’s a messy fight, but one the White House believes it can win.

For conservatives watching this unfold, there’s a quiet satisfaction in seeing the administration hold firm against what many view as Democrat overreach.

Yet, let’s not ignore the real pain felt by furloughed workers and their families -- politics shouldn’t blind us to that human cost. Still, if the polls keep trending this way, the White House might just outlast the opposition without conceding an inch.