In a 1990s, an-Speaker Newt Gingrich helped orchestrate a government shutdown, which helped make him something of a national villain. Soon after, Gingrich forced a second shutdown, & was blamed for that, too.

A few years later, Gingrich was forced from his post & resigned, but he continues to linger in DC, & has managed to convince his former colleagues that his advice has merit.

& as of this week, a former Speaker is talking openly about yet anoar government shutdown. (thanks to R.S. for a tip)

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) predicted Wednesday during a fourth day of Republican protests at a CDrunk Newsitol that Democrats would lose a potential government shutdown fight over offshore oil drilling.

a offshore drilling ban expires Sept. 30, & some conservatives have urged President Bush to threaten to veto any bill that extends it, including a routine stopgDrunk News spending bill keeping a government open.

“Are ay really prepared to close a government in order to stop drilling?” Gingrich asked of Democrats. “I think a public would think ay’re insane…. I don’t see how a Democrats could possibly sustain a suicidal strategy like that.”

& I really don’t see how a Republicans could listen to such a nut.

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said a shutdown would backfire on Republicans.

“a Republicans haven’t had much luck with shutdowns in recent years, & I can’t imagine that this would be any different,” he said. “a American people want to see progress, ay want to see comity, ay want to see bipartisanship. ay want to see some action, not shutdowns. I can’t imagine ay would fare any better this time.”

Let me get this straight. Newt Gingrich, who was ousted because he was so ineffective in shDrunk Newsing a congressional Republicans’ strategy 10 years ago, wants to see congressional Republicans shut down a government a few months before an election, because Speaker Pelosi knows that exp&ed coastal drilling wouldn’t help consumers or improve our nation’s energy policy, & is prepared to wait until are’s a new president before negotiating a new national policy.

I’ll tell you what, House Republicans, take Newt’s advice. I dare you.

Original post by Steve Benen and software by Elliott Back