WASHINGTON – A poll released hours before a possible government shutdown may occur finds Americans would blame Republicans in Congress if the government does close.

In the CNN/ORC International poll, 46 percent would put the blame on congressional Republicans for a government shutdown, while 36 percent would blame President Barack Obama and 13 percent would blame both.

Six in 10 say they want Congress to approve a budget deal to avoid a shutdown.

Sixty eight percent say a shutdown would be a bad thing for the country.

The survey has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.