President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner continue to trade barbs in the impasse over the Republican shutdown of the federal government. Speaking at the White House, Obama said he would not negotiate with Republicans until they reopen the government and allow a vote on raising the nation’s debt limit. Obama accused Republicans of “extortion” in their bid to delay or repeal Obamacare.

President Obama: “If reasonable Republicans want to talk about these things again, I’m ready to head up to the Hill and try. I’ll even spring for dinner again. But I’m not going to do it until the more extreme parts of the Republican Party stop forcing John Boehner to issue threats about our economy. We can’t make extortion routine as part of our democracy.”