1.   Another federal shutdown would not concern the Lakers, who Friday night showed Washington their own labor crisis.

2.   As they did during the two federal shutdowns in the last Congress, most Americans held Republicans responsible.

3.   All such workers are already required by law to stay on the job even during federal shutdowns.

4.   Both sides reiterated, though, that they intend to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent another federal shutdown.

5.   But it all may be for naught this year because of the latest federal shutdown.

6.   But they also want a more moderate approach to governing, free of the extreme partisan politics that led to two federal shutdowns last year.

7.   During budget negotiations, the president has been skillful in using his veto and the threat of a federal shutdown to force concessions out of Congress.

8.   Enactment of the Defense spending bill yesterday lessens the impact of another federal shutdown.

9.   He opposes two unrelated Republican amendments in it, one designed to prevent federal shutdowns, the other involving the Census Bureau.

10.   He rises in opinion polls of the general public by taking moderate stands, such as his recent enough-is-enough position on ending the federal shutdown.