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Obama says he fights GOP because “we can’t make extortion routine as part of our democracy”

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President Barack Obama listens while speaking about the the budget and the partial government shutdown, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, in the Brady Press Room of the White House in Washington. The president said he told House Speaker John Boehner he\'s willing to negotiate with Republicans on their priorities, but not under the threat of "economic chaos." (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says he’s fighting the budget battle because “we can’t make extortion routine as part of our democracy.”

Obama says he’s willing to not only negotiate fiscal issues with Republicans, but changes to health care law. But he says first he wants them to pass a bill to stop a partial government shutdown.

Obama noted in a news conference at the White House Tuesday that the shutdown already made him cancel a trip to Asia this week. He argued the shutdown is hurting U.S. credibility around the world and — quote — “makes it look like we don’t have our act together.”

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