NY Times: Obama Set to Pick Sen. Gregg for Commerce Secretary

[Avalon6]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/us/politics/01gregg.html?_r=1&hp

"The White House on Saturday confirmed the widespread speculation that President Obama is set to pick Senator Judd Gregg, Republican of New Hampshire, as his nominee for commerce secretary.

“Senator Gregg is now the leading candidate for commerce and a pick that could come as early as Monday,” a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement has not yet been made."

[BumRushDaShow]

1. Let us hope the Dem governor

will actually replace him with a Democratic Senator and not pussy-foot around with that if this comes to pass.

[merh]

2. Stop picking senators.

We need the senate to maintain the dems we have.

There are other qualified people for the job that are not serving.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

3. He's not a Dem. He's a republican who will be replaced by a Democratic governor.

[merh]

5. Oh, sorry - I didn't realize - forgive my ignorance.

I take it, he is a moderate republican?

There are plenty of qualified dems that could hold that job - the across the aisle nonsense is bothering me.

They don't want to play nice, we shouldn't keep asking them to?

We need to do what is write for the nation, not what appears to be politically correct. A republican in charge of commerce does not give me much confidence. They like corporations, we don't need corporate lovers in key cabinet posts.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

6. I agree. However, maybe since a Dem will be replacing him, he may appoint a Dem

or at least a RINO. This will give us the filibuster proof majority.

[merh]

9. I don't think we need that.

We do need dems in the cabinet and no corporate ass kisser as secretary of commerce.


I think this is a bad choice.

[Teaser]

22. 60 dems =no filibuster

I'll take a corporate ass kisser in the cabinet for that.

[northernlights]

15. boy, you really are out of the loop

by replacing repug Gregg with a democratic senator, we become 1 closer to veto-proof. Knock-off Coleman, and we're there.

Then we just have to rub the blue dogs noses in their pooh until they learn how to behave...or maybe just crate-train them. That always works with my dogs...

[Unsane]

7. stop posting

epic fail

[merh]

16. Go away, I can post all I want.

I don't agree with this move because NO republican should be made secretary of commerce.

[Teaser]

23. can does not reduce to should

.

[merh]

26. Oh please, you can't handle differences of opinion so you resort

to petty snarks.

I don't think you should post, you don't like dissent and you are rude.

[MADem]

4. Now, who's gonna replace Gregg? Lynch?

There goes Richardson's slot! I think he's hoping that Clinton will tire of SECSTATE, and he'll get a shot at that. Or perhaps he can be second in line for UN Ambassador.

The TIMES suggests Rudman...as have others:

But there are no guarantees that Mr. Lynch will pick a Democrat: New Hampshire is a state that prizes its political independence, and Mr. Lynch is a moderate. Some analysts say the governor could turn to a well-regarded Republican — the name of Warren Rudman, a former senator from New Hampshire, has been mentioned — to serve as a kind of “caretaker senator” to fill out the remainder of Mr. Gregg’s term, which expires at the end of 2010.

Mr. Gregg was not particularly close to Mr. Obama when they were senators together. But the New Hampshire senator did have a close relationship with Mr. Obama’s predecessor, former President George W. Bush, a friendship stretching back two decades to when Mr. Gregg’s father, Hugh Gregg, a former New Hampshire governor, worked to help elect Mr. Bush’s father, the first President Bush.

But Mr. Gregg has been complementing Mr. Obama of late. Earlier this week, the senator was quoted as calling the president a “tour de force.”

[Thrill]

10. Why not Hodes? Hodes is coming over for Obama's Super Bowl party too

[globalvillage]

14. Paul Hodes would be an excellent choice.

I like Shea Porter, too, but Hodes would be my first pick for Sen from NH.

[cali]

18. I suspect that Obama wouldn't choose Gregg unless he got a promise

from Lynch that he'd appoint a dem.

[Thrill]

8. If he doesn't have assurance from that Governor that he is going to pick a Democrat

This was a terrible pick.

I have not disagreed with Obama on any of his picks. But if he picked Gregg and the Governor picks another Republican, this was Bad pick. There are several Democrats qualified for this.

[TeamJordan23]

11. and please check his taxes. nm

[democrattotheend]

12. It might still be worth it

If the governor picks a moderate Republican who will serve as a caretaker for 2 years and then leave an open seat that will be a prime pick-up opportunity for Democrats in 2010, it might be worth it. That said, Judd Gregg really pisses me off, so I'll be glad to have him out of the Senate but wary of him in the cabinet. But at least in the cabinet he'll answer to Obama.

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

13. Brilliant. Now lets just pray and hope no shenanigans happen in MN. nt

[camera obscura]

17. I can only pray they've talked to the gov and gotten word that he will appoint a Dem

[YanquiUXO]

19. Let's hope he's replaced with a dem.

If so, it's a brilliant move by Obama and co.

Also, I'm new here. Hello, everyone.

[hay rick]

24. Welcome to DU. nt

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

28. welcome!

[BeyondGeography]

20. Savvy

Fuck the Pubs with a Pub.

[nomaco-10]

21. I'm AMAZEDand WOWED by this possible pick.....

Am I an idiot or is Obama really as clever as I think he is?

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, or at least drag them over to your side where you can keep an eye on 'em.

WOW just Wow. We shall see.

[Thrill]

25. I keep seeing people mention Rudman. He says he's not interested

Rudman told the Union Leader that “only someone who is totally insane would think I'd ever” return to the Senate. "Anyone who thinks that Warren Rudman would go back to the Senate after serving for 12 great years truly ought to have his head examined.”

[rocktivity]

27. A REPUBLICAN running COMMERCE???

That's like Hugh Hefner running abstinence!

Let's hope this is just media speculation--after all, how can it be considered "confirmation" if the source is someone "speaking on condition of anonymity?"

:headbang:
rocknation

[MADem]

29. It's one way to "put the blame on Mame" you see.

It's how Clinton inoculated himself against Defense whiners--he put a Republican (Bill Cohen) in at DOD.

It's a very clever strategy--in order for the GOP to gripe too much, they've got to rake one of their own over the coals.

[rocktivity]

30. I have eight years' worth of proof that Republicans shouldn't be making economic decisions

I don't need more, thank you!

:D
rocktivity

[MADem]

31. Well, it's not up to us, now, is it? Obama's going to make the call.

We'll see if those "conditions" apply, and if Gregg ends up in the gig: http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-inside-job/2009/02/02/gregg-puts-conditions-on-commerce-job-offer.html

Funny, that would require someone to lean on the governor and influence a "replacement Senator" pick. Given all the brouhaha about selling seats and quid pro quos, I'd say any leaning on governors is probably not a good idea.

Of course, Gregg will do what Clinton did, and not resign until confirmed.

[MadBadger]

32. Awful Choice Mr. President.