Talkingpoints Josh Marshall questions Gregg's reasons for withdrawal

[flpoljunkie]

GREGG?

Huh, I guess that didn't work out.

This is extremely weird. Gregg is out at Commerce, withdrawing for what he appears to be calling irreconcilable differences on Stimulus and the Census.

Now, the Census is one thing because Census administration is a pretty touchy issue between the parties -- largely tied to the Democrats' wanting to count everyone and the Republicans not. And I could sort of see where maybe this issue got dicey.

But the Stimulus? Didn't we have a pretty clear idea what was up with the Stimulus before Gregg got the nod?

Late Update: Hearing maybe that this might not be about Census or Stimulus but maybe Gregg not being able to hack the deluge of crap he was getting from what's left of the New Hampshire GOP.

Later Update: Here's Gregg's statement.

Still Later Update: Gregg is like the Bobby Ray Inman of Commerce Secretaries.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/02/gregg.php

[babylonsister]

1. I figured he was getting enormous amounts of pressure from the GOP.

So he caves. I guess spines are in short supply in other places, too.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Evidently.

[annabanana]

3. for whatever reason... (and contrary to the frames being constructed now..)

It's the quitter Gregg that looks like the loser to me..

[flpoljunkie]

4. Yep!

[ej510]

5. He did it to keep that seat red.

[Window]

10. Exactly. There's something else going on here, too.

[Thrill]

6. Pull the CNBC interview. He was all for Obama's stimulus plan

He's a coward who dropped to his knees for the Republican machine

[napi21]

7. Well, somebody on TV just said it was all about the census. He insisted

he wanted to be in charge of the census, but the WH said THEY would be. The guy mentioned something I had forgotten about. The census is a very important project and redistricting depends on it!

As soon as I heard the word redistricting, I figured that was the real reason. Without redistricting, many of the remaining Pubs would lose their seats!

[firedupdem]

8. They are all showing their true colors. At the end of the day,

they are the losers.

[annabanana]

9. rec this thresd up . . . . . n/t

[Phx_Dem]

11. This is getting good. Matthews isn't buying it either.

:popcorn:

[progressivebydesign]

12. look around here, Gregg seems to have BIGGER issues that that.

Like some lobbyist crap, and a wall st. madame problem.