Obama Says Shutdown Would be 'Inexcusable'

The Washington Post has the story. And here's the key quote:

“I remain confident that, if we are serious about getting something done, we should be able to complete a deal and get it passed and avert a shutdown,” Obama said. “But it’s going to require a sufficient sense of urgency from all parties involved.”

He also sounded a stern note about the consequences. “It would be inexcusable, given the relatively narrow differences when it comes to numbers between the two parties, that we can’t get this done,” Obama said. “There’s no reason why we should have a government shutdown unless we’ve made a decision that politics is more important.”

I haven't been following the negotiations, but it's mostly theater, IMHO. Shutting down government is ridiculous, frankly. Americans want a deal, as Gallup reported earlier. And I doubt either party can expect a political upside to this, especially with unemployment as high as it is. And the actual effects of a shutdown would be deeply regrettable. See LAT, "Contingency plan for possible government shutdown packs a mean punch."

RELATED: Check this awesome commentary from Daniel Henniger, "A Ronald Reagan Budget: Paul Ryan's budget offers much more than deficit-reduction brimstone."