As the government shutdown continues into its fourth day, opposing senators John Boehner and Harry Reid have upped the ante rather than bend to compromise.

The shutdown takes partisanship to the next level. (National Priorities Project, Creative Commons)

According to Politico, several sources attending a Senate Democratic policy luncheon Tuesday confirmed an ourburst by Democratic giant Harry Reid regarding his GOP counterpart:

"He's a coward!" Reid exclaimed.

SEE ALSO: Obama To Boehner: 'Stop This Farce' And End Shutdown

An angry Boehner, meanwhile, let the Democrats have it in a press conference Friday morning, saying they were allowing the debilitating stalemate to continue because they believe their party is winning the public debate.

"This isn't some damn game," Boehner said.

SEE ALSO: Partisan Blame Game In Government Shutdown

Boehner may have a point. A CBS News poll reveals that 44 percent of Americans blame congressional Republicans for the standstill, nine percent more than those who blame President Obama and congressional Democrats. According to the Wall Street Journal, at least one cheeky White house official has claimed: "We are winning."

According to CNN, Boehner spent the press conference repeating his and the GOP's insistence of changes to Obamacare in order to negotiate an end to the shutdown. The Democrats have likened these methods to political extortion.

"I'm happy to have negotiations," President Obama said. "We can't do it with a gun held to the head of the American people."

SEE ALSO: Why Debt Ceiling Is Worse Than Government Shutdown

So there you have it, America. Grab your popcorn and forget that unemployment check because we very well may be in this for the long haul.

Reach Executive Producer Francesca Bessey here; follow her here.