And you thought we'd have to wait two more years to get to 60...

[Clio the Leo]

.... seats in the senate.

Well, you underestimate the Great One. ;)

Gregg tight-lipped on Commerce

New Hampshire Republican Sen. Judd Gregg and his aides are tight-lipped about rumors that President Barack Obama is considering him for the still-open job of Commerce secretary.

But Democrats are delighted because it could mean they gain a pivotal seat.

<snip>

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is a Democrat. If Gregg were to leave and Lynch were to appoint a Democrat in his place — and if Al Franken wins in Minnesota — the Democratic Party would suddenly control 60 seats in the Senate.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/18193.html

And of course the cherry on the sundae is that in the act of approving Gregg as Commerce Sec., Republican senators would be sealing their own fate.

I've said it before and I'll no doubt say it many times again ..... genius .... the man is a genius.

[Xipe Totec]

1. Obama: I keep it cool...

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/obama-plays-it-cool/866342/

[cynthia]

4. that is a great clip

I keep it cool!

[ddeclue]

2. Unless Gregg is out to sink the GOP, he will decline such an offer.

I'm sure he can count so he would only do this if his intent was to throw the GOP under the bus.

[Xipe Totec]

3. If he has a choice between the good for the party and good for Gregg...

He will make the right choice.

Hell, why stay with the LOOSER party?

[catnhatnh]

6. Gregg is an Endangered Species...

the last republican in our congressional delegation in our increasingly blue state....perhaps he feels a cold wind blowing?

[DainBramaged]

7. EVERY Puke will throw the Party under the bus for gold and position

I bet one green dollar he takes the bait and we get veto-proofed.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

8. That. Would. Be. Awesome.

Oh please please please.

[AllentownJake]

5. After watching his buddy get ousted in 2008

Leaving the Senate before 2010 for a cabinet position would be a very tempting offer.

[DCBob]

9. How sweet that would be!! It sounds very plausible.

Also all the tight lipped, no comment stuff suggests something brewing. This would be a killer to the GOP.

[brianna69]

10. Gregg tight-lipped on Commerce

New Hampshire Republican Sen. Judd Gregg and his aides are tight-lipped about rumors that President Barack Obama is considering him for the still-open job of Commerce secretary.

But Democrats are delighted because it could mean they gain a pivotal seat.

Citing unidentified Senate sources, Roll Call reported Thursday evening that the Obama administration has been “floating the idea” of nominating Gregg to replace New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who withdrew his own nomination in December.

Asked earlier Thursday whether he’d ever been offered the Commerce job, Gregg told Politico: “I am not at liberty to discuss that.”

cont

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/18193.html

[DCBob]

11. Democratic sources: "strong possibility"

Report: Obama May Tap
GOP's Gregg for
Commerce
Last Edited: Thursday, 29 Jan 2009, 7:27 PM EST
Created On: Thursday, 29 Jan 2009, 7:18 PM EST

By MyFox New York
MYFOXNY.COM - There is a strong possibility that Barack Obama will choose Republican Sen. Judd Gregg to serve as his commerce secretary Commerce, The Huffington Post reported , citing Democratic sources.

The move would fill a vacancy that has lingered since Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his nomination. It would add another Republican to Obama's cabinet.

It would also create a favorable playing field in the Senate, giving Democrats a 60th caucusing member, because New Hampshire's Democratic governor -- John Lynch -- would appoint Gregg's replacement.

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/090129_Report_Obama_May_Tap_GOPs_Gregg_for_Commerce

[ecstatic]

12. good news, only if Pres. Obama downgrades the power of the position

Republicans and commerce policy don't mix.

[AndrewP]

13. Obama is a fucking genius

[MrSlayer]

14. Aren't you obligated to replace a Senator with someone from the same party?

I'm sure it's not set in stone that way but isn't it customary to put someone in there from the party that was elected?

[deadmessengers]

16. Nope.

I can think of at least one time where a replacement Senator was of a different party than his predecessor. Zell Miller was (nominally) a Democrat, appointed to the fill the term of Republican Paul Coverdell, who died in office.

[MrSlayer]

18. Good enough then.

I thought it was an unwritten rule or something.

[SharonAnn]

17. It may depend upon the state.

[spanone]

15. that would be the political move of the century....

[tekisui]

19. I Called For This Last Fall!

I posted long ago about the possibility of Obama naming a republican Senator from a Democratic Governor's state as a way to get to 60 seats. I was dismissed at the time.

Sometimes, I just get the right idea.:)

[lonestarnot]

20. ssssssssh.... buzzards.

[regnaD kciN]

21. Unfortunately...

...that would take us to 60, if we not only get Franken, but also hold on to the votes of Holy Joe and, now, Gillebrand. And, on the important economic issues of the day, the latter seems to be somewhat to the right of many Republicans (for example, being adamant about a balanced budget to the extent of wanting that conservative wet-dream, a Constituional amendment mandating it), and can probably be counted on to join the G.O.P. in any filibuster of anything that seems "socialistic" to the Right.

[AtomicKitten]

22. 60 = STFU GOP!!