Reliving the 1990s: The comeback of DeLay and GOP government shutdowns

DeLay is the latest GOP crook to join the comeback parade, and he has dire words for fellow Republicans.

The Republican Party will be in "big trouble" if it does not repeal the healthcare reform law, former House GOP Leader Tom DeLay said Friday....

"They are going to have to reverse everything the Obama administration has done," he said. "If they don't repeal healthcare reform, they are going to be in big trouble."

Which, of course, they can't do even if they regain both chambers of Congress--Obama would veto it. DeLay is well aware of that, but remains committed to the scorched earth tactic and, not surprisingly, advocates lying when confronted with the reality that voters are more concerned about whether Republicans would fix the economy than undo whatever Obama has managed to accomplish. "No, all you have to say is healthcare reform is destroying the economy and it will destroy it even more if it is allowed to go into effect," is his reply. Never mind actual CBO analyses.

This is in contrast to what the current GOP House leadership is pushing: defunding the reforms.  Which in turn means they've landed on what they think is really the silver bullet: government shutdowns.

The push to shut down the government that Dick Morris floated to conservatives last week is picking up some steam. Democrats who experienced the shutdown in 1995 and 1996 told TPM it was disastrous and it would be "un-American" to force people to endure another one.

Is that where the Republican pledges are headed? Could be. GOP leadership is on board with defunding health care and it's the most popular idea on the America Speaking Out voter forum run by the House Republicans and is included on the tea party's version of a Contract with America.

So it's the most popular idea with the teabaggers, Republicans are certainly going to pile on. Which would give smart Democrats a big opening, if they'll use it. Americans want to see action, but shutting down government is the kind of action that will only appeal to the extremist fringe. It's not the kind of action that will create jobs and turn the economy around, and non-crazy voters are smart enough to get that. It's another bright light example of the contrast between the parties that Dems have to use.