Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has been surveying the political landscape, and he's not especially impressed with what he sees -- at least as far as the GOP's chances are concerned.

In an article posted on HumanEvents.com, the former House speaker and conservative icon said the Republican Party’s loss in a Saturday special election in Louisiana for a House seat the party had held since 1975 should be a “sharp wake up call for Republicans: Either Congressional Republicans are going to chart a bold course of real change or they are going to suffer decisive losses this November.”

In particular, Gingrich chastised an electoral strategy congressional Republicans are using to “nationalize” the election by tying local races to national figures.

“The Republican brand has been so badly damaged that if Republicans try to run an anti-Obama, anti-Reverend Wright, or (if Senator Clinton wins), anti-Clinton campaign, they are simply going to fail,” Gingrich warned.

It's awkward to agree with ol' Newt, but I think he's right on this one. I also have a sinking suspicion that the GOP won't care, and will blow off his wise advice.

Good.