No End In Sight To Government Shutdown

The government shutdown continues and all eyes are on House Speaker John Boehner. Over the weekend, it seemed his position had hardened.

On the Sunday talk shows, Boehner rejected calls to reopen the government and raise the federal debt limit, saying that the House would not pass a so-called "clean" continuing resolution to get the government back up and running, unless President Obama agreed to negotiate.

But Boehner is demanding a conversation with the president. Some Democrats are hearing hope in that.

As ABC News Political Director Rick Klein blogs, "Squint a bit, though, and you can see the contours of a path out. Boehner is working to maintain GOP unity with his hard lines, and his interview probably did him good on that front. That unity only matters, though, if he gets President Obama to the negotiating table. Boehner is still looking for an out, but he's going to need the president to help provide it. So far, the president sees no incentive to give."

NPR's Charlie Mahtesian also joins Here & Now from Washington for an update on where negotiations stand. (See audio at the top of the page.)