John Nichols: Gregg's Gone... And Rightly So

[babylonsister]

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/state_of_change/407792/gregg_s_gone_and_rightly_so?rel=hpbox

Gregg's Gone... And Rightly So
posted by John Nichols on 02/12/2009 @ 5:48pm


New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg, a right-wing Republican who campaigned against Barack Obama's presidential run and condemned the new president's economic policies, has decided not to join the Obama administration as Secretary of Commerce.

Gregg withdrew his nomination Thursday, saying he had "irresolvable differences" with the president who appointed him.

No kidding.

When did this dawn on the senator?

Whatever the timeline, Obama is lucky to be rid of Gregg.

This nomination was always a case of taking the "team of rivals" fantasy to extremes.

Of course, Obama should consider and appoint responsible Republicans to his Cabinet. He should even consider capable conservatives, especially those who cling to the old-line conservative values of fiscal responsibility and distaste for military adventurism.

But Gregg never fit into either of those categories. He was a party-line voter in the Senate -- and will be again, as he never gave up his seat. And, if he were a man of any principle, Gregg would have been a constant critic within the Cabinet.

Despite the fact that no president wants to see Cabinet picks withdraw -- and, certainly, no president wants to lose three nominees (Bill Richardson, Tom Daschle and now Gregg) -- Obama should welcome Gregg's exit.

Now, Obama must quickly make a new nomination for Commerce Secretary.

Here's a tip for the president: Don't pick someone with whom you have "irresolvable differences." And, even more important, don't pick someone who takes the better part of a month to figure out that those differences are "irresolvable."

[freemedic78]

1. Why our President would want any Republican in his administration is beyond me

I'm glad he's gone.

[babylonsister]

2. Did you happen to catch his speech last night, or Rachel Maddow's

follow-up (Lincoln's Birthday)? Check them out and you'll have your answer. And welcome to DU.