Why would Obama Pick Repug Who doesn't Even Support Him for Commerce Secretary?

[KoKo]

Gregg Supports Stimulus But Won't Vote On It

Sam Stein

Senator Judd Gregg, nominated to head the Commerce Department in the Obama White House, delivered a double blow to the prospects of a stimulus bill passing the Senate when he let it be known on Wednesday that he generally supported the measure but would not vote on its passage.

"I have recused myself from voting during the pendency of my nomination," Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican, told CNBC.

Earlier in the program he said he was "not really engaged in the stimulus bill," but that he did believe "we need one."

"We need a robust one," he added. "I think the one that's pending is in the range we need. I do believe it's a good idea to do it at two levels, which this bill basically does, which is immediate stimulus and long-term initiatives which actually improve our competitiveness and our productivity."

By recusing himself from voting on a package that he claimed to broadly support, Gregg effectively denied Senate Democrats a possibly significant vote in passing the legislation. Majority whip Dick Durbin and others have begun expressing concerns that the stimulus won't get the 60 votes it needs to pass a Republican filibuster. Gregg could have voted on its passage up until the point that he officially resigned from office.

A cynic might wonder whether the New Hampshire Republican's support for the stimulus was being offered as a means of maneuvering his way towards the White House. Pressed by host Larry Kudlow on whether he had suddenly found the burning bush of Keynsian economics -- Gregg is, after all, a self-described fiscal conservative -- the Senator said that his position was sincere.

"I'm going to support something that I think makes sense, and I think a major stimulus package, and I have said that all along, makes a lot of sense and the Senate is still working its will and I expect it will come up with an even stronger package than the package that left the House."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/04/gregg-supports...

[stillcool]

1. He won't be voting against it..

and his confirmation hearing should be a blast.

[spanone]

2. as President Obama's commerce secretary, he will implement Obama's policies.

[leftofthedial]

3. to get his mangy varmint ass out of the Senate.

And putting him in charge of Commerce golfing outings.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Why is Obama pushing that pawn right out into the center

where it can be captured by his opponent's bishop?

[KoKo]

5. Why was Judd Gregg the answer to his prayers in "capturing a Repug" to get him out

of Senate? Gregg's being replaced for two years by another Repug...he said on CNBC this morning that he and Obama agreed that the "Entitlement Programs" are first priority for Reform and he says he's recusing himself from voting FOR the Stimulus when Harry and Dick are having a hell of a time rounding up enough Votes to pass the bill in the Senate.

What does Judd Gregg do for Obama or us. BTW...Gregg voted some years ago to GET RID OF Commerce Dept.

What do you think have Gregg who wants to be rid of Commerce Department, in CHARGE of the Department will do to it? Remember the RW Fundies who wanted to Demise the US Justice Department? If Gregg wants to get RID of Commerce he is working against Obama or he's just a Repug worming in to get rid of SS & Medicare/Medicaid. :shrug:

[Jackpine Radical]

6. My answer to all your questins is simple:

Damned if I know.

I'm also not much of a chess player. I do know that Obama is smart. I don't know what his intentions are. I do assume that he's playing a somewhat deeper game than is apparent. For the moment, since he has chosen not to confide in me, I'm waiting and watching. If the reality ends up matching the current appearances, I will be mightily disappointed.

[KamaAina]

7. Or, for that matter, who doesn't even support the Commerce Department itself?

http://www.slate.com/id/2210438

Sen. Judd Gregg, whom President Obama named as his nominee Tuesday, fits none of these criteria. He does not know Obama beyond the occasional hello. He is a fiscally conservative Republican from New Hampshire. And in 1995 he voted to kill the department he will now lead....

Finally, there is Gregg's vote to abolish the Commerce Department. At the time, Congress was voting on the 1996 budget. A representative from Michigan added an amendment that would balance the budget faster by killing the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Education, Commerce, and Energy—an absurdity, but also an attempt to signal to Democrats that balancing the budget would require cutbacks. Every Republican senator voted for it, plus a few Democrats. In a department with as many moving parts as Commerce, a conservative instinct to streamline could be a positive.

Oh well, no biggie, as long as he paid his taxes on time, I guess... :sarcasm: