The partial shutdown of the federal government is in its third day after more failed talks between the White House, Democrats and House Republicans. President Obama met with congressional leaders on Wednesday, but is maintaining his rejection of a Republican effort to link government funding to the repeal or delay of his signature healthcare law. In an interview, Obama said he is “exasperated” over the Republican stance.

President Obama: “During the course of my presidency, I have bent over backwards to work with the Republican Party and have purposefully kept my rhetoric down. I think I’m pretty well known for being a calm guy; sometimes people think I’m too calm. And am I exasperated? Absolutely, I’m exasperated, because this is entirely unnecessary.”