In an effort to break the sequestration impasse (or what some in the GOP call a calculated political move), President Obama placed two important calls on Thursday. The White House says Obama had "good conversations" with House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Neither side reported progress.

Francis Rose, host of "In Depth" on Federal News Radio, discussed the sequester and other top government topics with Capital Insider.