Rep. Walsh: Shutdown Might be ‘Good Thing’

Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh says a federal government shutdown might actually not be so bad, as it could be the jolt Congress needs to stop stalling and do what the American people really want — significant movement in resolving the nation’s budgetary crisis. Walsh, a tea party-backed Republican, also admonished President Barack Obama, saying he “should be ashamed of himself” for not participating in budget talks.

“We do not want a shutdown. But I've got to tell you, It’s like we’re the only game in town,” Walsh told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren Wednesday. “The president has been AWOL in these talks — the Senate Democrats don't even have a proposal on the table.

“We’ve been negotiating with ourselves. Nobody wants a shutdown, but I'll tell you . . . I think the American people are way ahead of the politicians on this. They understand how serious this fiscal crisis is,” Walsh said. “Might it be a good thing? Hopefully it won't happen, but who knows, maybe America needs to be jolted a bit. I think the American people are ready for this.”

Walsh said the American people back what the GOP-controlled House is trying to do to reduce government spending.

“I firmly believe House Republicans have the American people with us. They understand how serious this thing is,” Walsh said. “I’ve been very clear, Greta, that the president of the United States should be ashamed of himself because he isn’t even participating in the seriousness of these talks. I think the Democrats have lost the substance of this argument.”

Van Susteren asked Walsh whether Vice President Joe Biden had not reached out to Congress on Obama’s behalf to try and find some budgetary middle ground.

“Vice President Biden said he would be involved — the next day he flew out of the country,” Walsh said. “I’ve been saying for a few weeks that the Democrats’ only card is to shut down the government. They’ve lost the substance of this argument.

“All they want to do is make the Republicans look like the bad guys,” he continued. “The only way they can do that is shutdown the government,” adding he believed Obama wants to see the government shut down because “it is the only way he can turn this back in his favor.”

“The American people made a clear statement in November. That's why I'm sitting here talking to you,” Walsh said. “They want government cut — and they want the private economy grown.

“He understands that. He has lost that argument.”