Newt gave them the ammunition. I remember Newt complaining about being on the back of the airplane, while Clinton was in the front, when they went somewhere. The press played it up like he was a spoiled brat. I understood what Newt meant, he didn't want to waste time getting to a resolution of the shut down. He should have said it's up to the POTUS timetable to resolve the impass.
Wm, that was all media.
An associate of Newt at the time wrote:
***And Gingrich’s alleged complaint about the airplane landing was taken out of context. He pointed out that Clinton had avoided the GOP leadership on board for the 20-plus hours of the flight. Budget negotiations could have been taking place. Then the president simply lacked manners in shunting the Republicans out the back of the plane.***
So, the media ran with a caricature...are you surprised?