Rand Paul Caught on Hot Mic in Strategy Chat With McConnell

Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul were caught discussing government shutdown strategy and the Democrats' refusal to negotiate on an open microphone while the minority leader was waiting to begin an interview.

Paul had just completed a segment with CNN, when he walked over to his fellow Kentuckian, who was "wired up" for his own interview with NBC affiliate WPSD 6 in Paducah, Kentucky, Politco reports.

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"I just did CNN and I just go over and over again, 'we're willing to compromise, we're willing to negotiate," Paul said. "I don't think they've poll-tested 'we won't negotiate.' I think it's awful for [Democrats] to say that over and over again."

"Yeah, I do too," McConnell replied. "And I just came back from that two-hour meeting with them, and that was basically the same view privately as it was publicly."

Paul added that he thinks the Republicans will win the narrative on the shutdown if they are clear that they are willing to compromise.

"I think if we keep saying, 'we wanted to defund it, we fought for that, but now we're willing to compromise on this,' we're going to win this, I think," Paul said.

The conversation reflects what House Speaker John Boehner said Wednesday after congressional leaders met with President Barack Obama about how to end the government shutdown.

"We entered negotiations to try to find ways to resolve our differences," Boehner said. "The president reiterated, one more time, that he wouldn't negotiate."

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