Another shutdown day, another round of congressional finger-pointing.
House of Representatives Republicans met privately and afterward Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and tried to play statesman.
"In a divided government, the American people expect us to work together," he told reporters. "Whether it is on the government's funding or the debt limit, people expect to have negotiations when there are two differing sides."
He accused Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Barack Obama of being too stubborn.
"Never negotiating--a position of not negotiating--is not a sustainable option. And we ask this president and Harry Reid--let's sit down and let's iron out our differences," Cantor said.
Well, no, said Reid in a Senate floor speech. It's all the Republicans' fault.
"If Republicans want to propose a legislative way to make the (health care) law better or more efficient, Democrats are willing to talk about that," he said. "But shutting down the government and hoping that will make Obamacare disappear is truly magical thinking.
And, Reid insisted, "Democrats are willing to negotiate--on the budget, on Obamacare, you name it. And we're willing to compromise."