Charles Dharapak \/ AP <\/p>\n
President Barack Obama speaks during an interview at the White House with The Associated Press on Friday. <\/p>\n
By Julie Pace, Associated Press <\/p>\n
Defending the shaky rollout of his health care law, President Barack Obama said frustrated Americans \"definitely shouldn't give up\" on the problem-plagued program now at the heart of his dispute with Republicans over reopening the federal government. <\/p>\n
Obama said public interest far exceeded the government's expectations, causing technology glitches that thwarted millions of Americans when trying to use government-run health care websites. <\/p>\n
\"Folks are working around the clock and have been systematically reducing the wait times,\" he said. <\/p>\n
The federal gateway website was taken down for repairs over the weekend, again hindering people from signing up for insurance. <\/p>\n
Obama, in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, also disclosed that U.S. intelligence agencies believe Iran continues to be a year or more away from having the capability to make a nuclear weapon. That assessment is at odds with Israel, which contends Tehran is on a faster course toward a bomb. <\/p>\n
He expressed optimism about the blossoming diplomacy between his administration and Iran's new president, but said the U.S. would not accept a \"bad deal\" on the Islamic republic's nuclear program. <\/p>\n
The president spoke to the AP on Friday, four days into a partial shutdown of the federal government that has forced 800,000 people off the job, closed national parks and curbed many government services. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Continued here:<\/p>\n
Obama: Don't 'give up' on health care law<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Charles Dharapak \/ AP President Barack Obama speaks during an interview at the White House with The Associated Press on Friday. Continue reading