The government shutdown is a slow-boil political crisis

There were rumblings of behind-the-scenes discussions to end the shutdown in the Senate from key players in the ever-diminishing political center. It was a little disorientating to see White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insist: “The American people want the government reopened.”Reporters raise their hands to ask White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt a question during a press briefing, on Wednesday. “It’s really the Trump shutdown,” Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told CNN’s John Berman. White House plays hardballBut the White House is also seeking to increase the pain threshold. In another sign of discomfort on health care, several Republicans insisted Wednesday they were ready to talk — but not during a shutdown.