Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says neither Congress nor President Barack Obama has acquitted themselves well in the budget fight that has spawned a government shutdown.
"As a citizen, I have to say that this is a pretty ugly sight," she said on "CBS This Morning" Wednesday. "I would have hoped that our leaders, both from the White House and Congress, could sit in a room and say, 'Here’s what we need to do.'"
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Rice criticized Washington officials for "talking through the media" rather than talking to each other. "Get people in the same room," she implored.
While the president and some congressmen hold strong views, there is no reason why they can't compromise, Rice said.
"We have a long history in this country of people being able to reach across the aisle, to sit in the same room, and to have the good of the country at heart. We’re not seeing that right now, and I think Americans find it appalling." she said.
Rice is frequently mentioned as a possible Republican
presidential candidate for 2016.
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