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Bill Clinton praises Republicans’ budget message

WASHINGTON — Former President Bill Clinton paid a backhanded compliment to Republicans Sunday amid the budget battle that could force a government shutdown in one week.

Asked on CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS” whether he was worried about the future of the Democratic Party, he said he wasn’t.

“We’ve got a lot of good ideas,” Clinton said. “But I think you’ve got to give it to the Republicans: They have a much more reliable media base, and they just say no.”

He also praised the GOP for its consistency.

“They know what they want. They want power to cut taxes, eliminate regulations, take government down — except for what they like — and they can fill the atmosphere with a lot of static.”

President Obama faces a standoff with House Republicans, who last week passed a spending bill that would keep the government open but defund his Affordable Care health plan.

Obama and Senate Democrats flatly refuse to bargain over the health-care law, which is widely unpopular with voters but remains the president’s signature legislative accomplishment.

The government will shut down on Oct. 1 if the president and Republicans can’t strike a deal.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz urged his GOP colleagues to filibuster if Senate Democrats try to strip out the measure to defund ObamaCare from the House bill.

“We should stand our ground,” Cruz said on “Fox News Sunday.” “It’s now our turn to unify, to stand together with House Republicans.”“Somebody may know, but I don’t. I’m not one of the people who does,” he said.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also pointed to her party’s failure to effectively communicate with Americans in the fight over ObamaCare.

“It’s about wellness, it’s about prevention, it’s about a healthier America,” she said on CNN’s “State of the Union” “Has that message gotten out? Obviously not adequately.”

Clinton said that the political debate is “a little tougher” for Democrats, but he remained optimistic about the party.

“It’s a little tougher for us, but I feel pretty good about where we are and where we’re going. Demographically, the country is moving toward not liberal, but communitarian solutions — we’re all in this together solution,” he said.

Clinton had less insight about whether his wife was running for president, claiming he wasn’t in the loop for that decision.