Actually, it is, especially now that Obama has killed it off (seemingly). What we took for granted really has given us much in the way of collateral knowledge/technology. Newt's reiterating the dream of it (so why not dream big?) and the practicality of it (useful tech).
There's just something wrong about turning away from innovation. We may be "broke" but American brio has never paused for a balanced book. No big dreamer or achiever can afford to think in such limited terms. Risk is required.
That said, hunkering down to get our house in order is a worthy adventure in its own right. No need for all the sad-sack baloney we see everywhere. I appreciate Newt's story about George Washington and his troops' secret password: Victory or Death! We need to embrace that courageous attitude, it does not befit heirs of the Founders to whine and moan and wring hands (especially since we've had it so good for so long).
This is usually what happens before a civilization dies. It turns inward in an appeal to address its internal problems, dismissing innovation, exploration, and expansion. And then the civilization simply disappears into irrelevance.