Obama: Budget deal close, shutdown disruptive

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he believes a budget deal is still possible that will avert a government shutdown this weekend. He says failure to reach a deal would be disruptive at a moment when the economy is beginning to gain ground. Obama made a surprise appearance at the White House briefing room today following a White House meeting with House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and top House and Senate appropriators.