GINGRICH . . . DEATH THREATS LEAD TO SECURITY DETAIL

Incoming House Speaker Newt Gingrich will "reluctantly" take advice to be shuttled around town in a government vehicle, after Capitol police sources reported death threats against him since Republicans took control of Congress Nov. 8. Gary Abrecht, the federal police department's chief, wrote Gingrich Dec. 19, urging him "in the strongest terms" to always use a secure vehicle driven by trained security personnel. A Gingrich spokesman today denied a New York Daily News report that his boss would ride in an armored car, but said he would accept a vehicle like a minivan, "the sort of car that shuttles kids to soccer games across America." BTW: Outgoing Speaker Thomas Foley, who had similar security arrangements, also received death threats during his tenure.