Nicole Wallace: Government Shutdown Threat Is 'Stupid Politically' For The GOP

Count George W. Bush's former White House communications chief among those questioning the messaging behind the GOP's threats to shut down the government.

Nicole Wallace chastised Republicans on Thursday's edition of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" for their "idiotic" provocation, using a traffic analogy to accentuate her point.

“When Republicans run into the street, despite the fact that there is a flashing red light, they’re going to get hit by the cars and killed," Wallace said of the shutdown threats. "So this is stupid politically."

On Wednesday, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced that Republicans would move forward with a House vote for a continuing resolution that would defund Obamacare. Several Senate Republicans reacted negatively to that idea.

"I said it was the dumbest idea I'd ever heard of," Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) said, referencing his thoughts from last July on the issue. "I still think it's a dumb idea, because you can't defund Obamacare."

Democrats have attempted to take advantage of the Republican threats. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has launched a web campaign called "GOP Government Shutdown Watch," touting it as an effort that will hold the party responsible for its actions.

"Without a doubt, Republicans will pay a price in 2014 for their reckless efforts to shut down the government," DSCC Spokesman Justin Barasky said.