President Obama is staying home from economic summits in Asia as Democrats call on Republicans to unite and end the government shutdown, while Republicans argue that the president is refusing to negotiate.
Meanwhile, a video has surfaced showing Kentucky Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul discussing strategy.
Paul: I just did CNN and I just go over and over again ‘We’re willing to compromise. We’re willing to negotiate.’ I think… I don’t think they poll tested we won’t negotiate. I think it’s awful for [Democrats] to say that over and over again.
McConnell: Yeah, I do too and I, and I just came back from that two hour meeting with them and that was, that was basically the same view privately as it was publicly.
Paul: I think if we keep saying, ‘We wanted to defund it. We fought for that and now we’re willing to compromise on this’, I think they can’t, we’re gonna, I think… well, I know we don’t want to be here, but we’re gonna win this, I think.
Guest
- Ron Elving, senior Washington editor for NPR. He tweets @relving.
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