Former Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) said President Barack Obama is acting like a "spoiled brat child" when it comes to negotiations over the government shutdown.
Obama has said he is only willing to negotiate with Republicans after Congress passes a short-term government funding measure and increases the debt limit.
"I can put [Obama's stance] in very basic Southern terms: a spoiled brat child," West told "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV.
West criticized the president and said Republicans "have been giving Barack Obama everything that he has wanted."
"If you continue to reward bad behavior, you're going to get more of that bad behavior," West said.
Obama has repeatedly pointed out that the shutdown had occurred as a result of Republicans' strong opposition to the health care law he passed.
"The way we got to this point was one thing and one thing only: this Republican obsession with dismantling the Affordable Care Act," Obama said on Oct. 8. "Most Americans -- Democrats and Republicans -- agree that health care should not have anything to do with keeping our government open or paying our bills on time."
Obama reportedly told House Democrats on Wednesday that he would negotiate with Republicans but “not with a gun at my head,” according to Politico.
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