Senate leaders optimistic about budget, debt deal
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Washington - Senate leaders from warring political parties sent a glimmer of hope through stalled budget and debt negotiations as each declared he was optimistic that a solution was within reach before a looming Thursday deadline.
The comments from Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Republican minority leader, Mitch McConnell, on the floor of the Senate prompted a delay in a meeting with US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden - another sign that hectic negotiations were under way.
The White House said that "important progress" was being made by the Senate leaders.
The postponement was greeted as a good sign by Republican Senator Susan Collins, who has led a bipartisan group in the Senate to forge a compromise that Reid and McConnell are apparently discussing.//DPA
