U.S. senators were particularly chatty this morning, as the shutdown approaches its third week and the debt ceiling deadline looms. On "Meet the Press," Republican Senator Rob Portman and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin agreed that President Obama and the House are likely to reach a deal on both, echoing a general feeling of wary optimism, although Portman emphasized that won't do anything to solve the federal government's underlying problems.
Republicans were mostly on message about their unwillingness to discuss raising government spending above the levels set by sequestration, blaming Obama for his alleged failure to negotiate. Some, at least, admitted it was "unrealistic" for Republicans to think they could have stopped Obamacare by stopping the entire government.
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) on "Meet the Press": "The greatest act of bipartisanship" in recent decades has been both parties "overpromising and overspending."
Sen. Lindsey Graham on "This Week": He's "worried" that a Senate deal to end the shutdown and raise the debt ceiling won't get support from the majority of House Republicans.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky) on "Face the Nation": Obama is using the debt ceiling deadline to try to "scare people."
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on "Face the Nation": Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell are entering today's talks with similar frameworks.
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