Thursday, January 29, 2009

Republican Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) for Commerce Secretary?

Is this true? If so, what a smooth move by Obama. Why? It would give the Democrats 60 in the senate, since New Hampshire has a Democratic Governor who would appoint the replacement. Does Gregg have a comment on this rumor?

The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Gregg’s nomination was far from a done deal, but remains a serious possibility. Reached by phone, Gregg, the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, said he had no comment on whether he has been in talks with the White House about the post.

Will Senator Gregg take it? Well, let's look at the realities here. New England was just swept away from all its Republican representatives in the house. Judd's counterpart, Senator John Sununu just lost his seat to former Governor Jeanne Shaheen, now Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Besides Gregg, who is up for reelection in 2010 and his seat is going to be a blood bath, the only other Republican senators left standing in the senate are the ladies from Maine. The question is this, "What is it worth for Gregg to say yes, to Obama?"

I say, "A lot".

Gregg can work with a centrist Democratic President, who is popular and won his state. He can be in that fold, instead of the weeds in the Republican senate, which many are not moderate as Gregg.

Don’t think the Republican leadership is not breathing down Gregg’s neck, they are, and it is heavy. My thing is this, "What do they have to offer?" I mean, the reality is this, again, Gregg still has to raise massive money to defend his seat, his state fell to the Democrats, and he is not safe.

My take, if Gregg takes it, RELIEF. If he does not, WORRY.

If Gregg accepts, this is a brilliant move by Obama. Let's see what happens. Besides, does Gregg and his other moderate colleagues want to hear this for the next two years? An ad, targeting the ladies in Maine and will run in New Hampshire.



Source
Daily Kos

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