Michael Barbaro

From The New York Times, I'm Michael Barbaro.

This is The Daily.

Under normal circumstances, the profound pain of a government shutdown compels both parties to negotiate as quick a resolution as possible on behalf of the American people.

But so far, nothing about this shutdown is normal.

Today, as the federal shutdown enters its 17th day, three of my colleagues, White House reporter Tyler Pager, congressional reporter Katie Edmondson, and economic policy reporter Tony Rom, explain what's making it feel so different.

It's Friday, October 17th.

Katie, Tyler, Tony, welcome to The Roundtable.

Doing great.

I just need to observe that saying those names in quick succession makes me feel like you're a family, like maybe a family of tigers.

Katie, Tyler, Tony.

Katie, Tyler, Tony.

They're great.

Welcome to a special shutdown edition of the Roundtable.

It's a topic that I think benefits from having specialized reporting experience brought to the topic, and I think each of your specialties can emerge as we go.

I just want to start with a simple observation.

This is a real weird shutdown.

Yes or no?

Yes.

Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah, without a doubt.