US govt shutdown poker: Which side has winning hand?

Washington is in a standoff and the chips are down - with the government shuttered for weeks, federal workers stuck in limbo, and millions who rely on health insurance subsidies scared of losing the shirt off their backs.

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Behind the scenes, it is not just about budgets: It is about who is winning the blame game.

Democrats argue that they have the clearer story and the more relatable message. Republicans have President Donald Trump's megaphone, but critics say their argument is tangled in technicalities.

Polling shows the public assigns blame to both parties. The most recent surveys show a plurality blaming Republicans, although Mr Trump remains largely unscathed.

But with each missed pay cheque and rising premium, the stakes get higher — and someone is going to fold.

This shutdown is not your garden-variety gridlock. It is already the second-longest in history, and neither side looks close to backing down.

It is the first significant shutdown driven by Democrats, and only the second time the government has paused over demands to spend rather than save.

Democrats want to extend subsidies for health insurance premiums that help millions afford coverage. Republicans say: Reopen the government first, then maybe we will talk.

But Republicans control the White House, House and Senate. So when the lights go out, Democrats say their opponents cannot offload the blame.