It’s a buyer’s market for President Barack Obama.

With House and Senate Republicans preparing competing proposals to end the government shutdown and avert a default on the nation’s debt, Obama hasn’t shown any inclination to jump at the first offer…

At this point, White House officials won’t even describe separate talks with House Republican leaders and rank-and-file Senate Republicans as “negotiations” – a telling indication of the wait-and-assess approach the president is taking to emerging proposals. The White House also has to stay involved because public opinion could turn against Obama if it doesn’t look like he’s engaging in good faith to find a solution.

“We’re listening,” said White House press secretary Jay Carney, “and we’re talking.”