A late Thursday meeting between President Obama and congressional Republicans showed the first sign of progress towards ending the government shutdown and averting the first-ever U.S. default. No deal was secured, but both the president and top Republicans said they instructed aides to continue talks to find common ground. "The president didn't say yes, didn't say no. We're continuing to negotiate this evening," said House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who attended the meeting. Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., characterized the meeting as "useful" and said negotiations were continuing. "The president looks forward to making continued progress with members on both sides of the aisle," the White House said in a statement. "The president's goal remains to ensure we pay the bills we've incurred, reopen the government and get back to the business of growing the economy, creating jobs and strengthening the middle class." Read more http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/10/10/house-gop-debt-limit-six-weeks/2957931/
