Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich returned to the political arena Tuesday to warn Democrats not to shut down the government — while bragging about how he did the same thing twice.
Gingrich was writing in the New York Times as Congress approached a midnight deadline to pass a spending bill — with no deal in sight.
Gingrich argued that Democrats are making a strategic mistake by refusing to cave to Republican demands.
"You shut down government only when you're sure you have the public on your side and the ability to explain clearly why you're taking such a drastic step,” he wrote.
“In this case, the Democrats can't really claim to have either."
He then went on to laud the 1995-1996 government shutdowns led by Republicans under his leadership.
As House Speaker, he led Republicans in two shutdowns during budget standoffs with President Bill Clinton. Lasting 5 and 21 days respectively, they were centered on disagreements over Medicare, education, and environmental spending.
These confrontations ultimately damaged Republican approval ratings and strengthened Clinton's political position. They also damaged Gingrich’s reputation as they were seen by many to have been caused by him throwing a tantrum.
But he bragged in the Times: "We closed the government as an opening gambit in a long campaign to reduce spending, reform welfare and balance the federal budget.
"The American people did not like the shutdowns, but Republicans believed, rightly, that they deeply supported our broader goals."
The current Democratic strategy lacks clear purpose, he said.
"By contrast, and by many accounts, Democrats are poised to shut down the government in order to look like they're willing to 'do something' — anything — to thwart Mr. Trump,” he said.
“That might be what their base wants, but it's not how you go about trying to win back the House majority."
