Gingrich: GOP Shouldn't Back Down In Debt Fight

The Associated Press reports:

Congressional Republicans should not relent in the battle with President Barack Obama over raising the federal debt ceiling, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said during a presidential campaign swing through South Carolina on Tuesday.

When he was speaker, the Republicans' fight over the budget with President Bill Clinton closed down the government in 1995 and 1996.

"In that process the American people looked up and said they wanted a smaller government," Gingrich said.

"What Republicans shouldn't do is try to back down from this fight," Gingrich said to loud applause from about 150 people attending a town hall meeting organized by the Charleston Tea Party. South Carolina is holding the South's first GOP primary.