Judd Gregg: Commerce Secretary?

[Cronopio]

Source: Huffington Post

There is a strong possibility that Barack Obama will ask Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) to serve as his Secretary of Commerce, Democratic Senate aides tell the Huffington Post.

The move would fill a vacancy that has lingered since Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his nomination. And provided that Al Franken emerges victorious in the Minnesota recount, it would give Democrats in the Senate a 60th caucusing member, as New Hampshire's Democratic governor John Lynch would appoint Gregg's replacement.

Asked for a response, White House spokesman, Bill Burton, in an email to the Huffington Post, said the "president hasn't made a pick yet."

The potential of Gregg leaving the Senate will almost certainly set off an intense lobbying effort from his fellow Republican senators to persuade him to turn down the Commerce post. Already, a GOP operative writes in to say: "No way that Gregg takes it."


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/29/judd-gregg-commerce-secre_n_162378.html

[rpannier]

1. If he doesn't take it the smart thing to do would be to use it in his re-election campaign

Point out to voters that he was the choice of Obama for a cabinet post.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. I love President Obama

If he pulls this off - and I hope he does - he'll further drive the Republicans insane.

Oh, please, Judd, PLEASE, PLEASE TAKE IT!!!

Commerce is a powerful slot. Not many people realize that.

Judd does, though.

Our President is so fucking smart............

[SoxFan]

5. Gregg is, to put it bluntly, kind of a jerk

About 15 years ago, he tried to force the woman who was buying his house to go through with the sale, even though she had been diagnosed with cancer between the signing and the closing.

He's also a millionaire who won $800K in the Virginia lottery and decided to keep the money for himself.

I don't want this guy anywhere near Commerce. Let us take him out with Paul Hodes in 2010.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

6. What happened to the sale?

That's a true story?

I didn't know that about the lottery, either.

Well, yeah, he's a Republican. Of course he's a jerk. But Obama's plan would co-opt the Senate big time.

Do you really think a Democratic candidate could beat Gregg in 2010?

[SoxFan]

7. Gregg's seat probably would go to a Republican

I believe the sale was finally put off after the press turned it into a front page story.

The replacement senator would be appointed by Gov. John Lynch. Lynch is a Democrat, but not much of one. In the November elections, he openly backed a Republican state senator over an excellent Democratic challenger, and he quietly supported several other Republicans, especially of the "chamber of commerce" variety, in both 2008 and 2006.

My guess is that Lynch would appoint someone like Walter Peterson, a Republican who was governor in the early 1970s. He's liberal on some social issues, but I wouldn't trust him on anything like a cloture vote in a SCOTUS fight. There are good Democratic "caretaker" options (former ambassador George Bruno, State Rep. Paul McEachern), but Lynch would almost certainly go with a big-business Republican.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

9. Good for the press

What a pig. That's a really special guy, Gregg.

But, as much as I hate to say it, I like the idea of appointing him Commerce Secretary. It would never be done, of course, unless (1) he would accept it, and (2) the governor was already in line with a Democrat to replace Gregg. The governor - look what happened to Blago when he decided not to play ball - would follow the orders. That's how it's done in the big leagues.

Regardless of Gregg's dickiness, it's still a strategically brilliant notion on the part of the White House.

At least it's not been boring these past nine days.....................

[SoxFan]

3. NOOOO!!!!

Gregg is a bloodless career politician, a classic born-on-3rd base-and-thinks-he-hit-a-triple type.

Worse, we would NOT pick up the vacant senate seat. John Lynch has a habit of playing footsie with Republicans of the wealthy, old yankee elite. You would see someone like Walter or Andy Peterson, Liz Hager, or Brad Cook end up with the job. They are considered "moderate" because of their stances on pelvic issues like abortion, but I wouldn't trust them in a judicial filibuster cloture vote.

[Tesha]

16. Liz Hager is a better, more reliable democrat than many "real" Democrats.

And the Republicans screwed her big time in the recent
election cycle.

Tesha

[SoxFan]

23. Liz isn't as progressive as you think

She's liberal on pelvic issues, and is usually ok on child health matters, but she's far from reliable on labor issues and she flat-out sucks on accountability/lobbying reform. She was one of the fiercest opponents of greater lobbyist disclosure rules. I know, because I was one of the leaders pushing for the reforms.

[Tesha]

26. So you agree that she's better than most Southern Democrats -- thanks! (NT)

[Orrex]

4. For a minute, I thought you were talking about this guy

Hey, either way, it's a smart pick!

[MADem]

8. Well, it's a SHITTY job to have in this economy. Might as well give it to the GOP.

I thought the crap, in this economic environment, that went with the "Business Cheerleader" position was part of the reason why Bill Richardson backed away from it, using "ongoing investigation" as an excuse. It's a horrible job right now--like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic....

Gregg would have to be prepared to go in a totally different direction if he took the job. Of course, he has enough years in the Senate to qualify for a RETIREMENT, so what the heck--may as well take the money and run. Then again, his GOP pals would be bullshit if he gave the D's that sixtieth seat....

It might be wishful thinking, that selection. I'd love it if he did it though...!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

10. It's not about the money

to guys like Gregg. It's about status.

If he just retired at the end of this term, he'd be addressed as "Senator" for the rest of his life.

BUT, if he were to become Commerce Secretary, he'd be "Mr. Secretary" for the rest of his life. And, believe me, I've known some of these men, going all the way back to Truman's tenure (I knew his Treasury Secretary, who was really old when I met him, but who was always "Mr. Secretary" when he showed up at our law firm), and they do love love love that really elite honorific.

Ego. Never underestimate its power.

I'd love this move, too................

[SoxFan]

14. Don't be so certain we'd get that 60th seat

John Lynch has a history of playing footsie with the old-school Establishment/Chamber of Commerce Republicans, the ones who drive Beemers, not pick-ups. He has endorsed Republicans over highly qualified and credible Democrats in the past. I think that he would buckle and appoint someone like former Gov. Walter Peterson, business lobbyist Brad Cook, Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, or someone of that ilk.

There are good Democratic possibilities, but Lynch would never appoint Carol Shea-Porter (he backed her primary opponent in 2006, and the two camps are not close). Paul Hodes would offend his GOP buddies, since Hodes would then be a prohibitive favorite to hold the seat. There are good placeholders in the Dem ranks, like George Bruno (ex ambassador to Belize, consultant to NATO's partnership For peace program), Paul McEachern (state rep, ex legal counsel to Gov. Gallen, ex bar association president), and John Huston (retired naval officer, dean of Franklin Pierce Law School, key Obama surrogate).

[Tesha]

17. John HuTSon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hutson

But he's officially a Republican.

Tesha

[SoxFan]

18. Why do I ALWAYS misspell his name?

I've met the guy a couple of times, and I still can't keep it straight.

Actually, I think he changed his registration to Independent during the campaign.

[Tesha]

20. You (and I!) misspell his name because of this guy...

[MADem]

19. It could be Gregg won't take it unless Lynch agrees to name a Republican.

At least that's what Ch. 9 is suggesting as a possibility.

Lynch could always surprise people, and name...himself.

John Hutson is an old acquaintance of mine, FWIW. I knew him before he made flag. He was a fresh-faced innocent back in the day.

[SoxFan]

21. James Pindell is suggesting the same thing

and James usually picks up on this sort of thing pretty quickly.

Lynch won't appoint himself. He is a classic big fish in a small pond. Ifhe goes to DC, he's just another senator. Besides, his wife is too wired into the medico-business establishment in New England to want to uproot for DC.

[MADem]

24. Well, time will tell, I suppose. NT

[FreeStateDemocrat]

11. MSNBC: Officials: Obama eyes Republican for Cabinet

Discusses political implications: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28926767/

[Demeter]

12. Dear God NO

You don't want that guy anywhere near the halls of power.

[Demeter]

22. On Reconsideration, If It Makes the Senate Filibuster-proof

Obama can always fire him later when he proves himself unworthy.

[SoxFan]

25. It doesn't

John Lynch would almost certainly appoint a Republican to the seat. Hell, Lynch is basically a Republican himself at this point.

[geek tragedy]

13. 100 times worse than Rick Warren.

Get a Republican in the cabinet and replace him with another Republican in the Senate.

Lose/lose.

Idea FAIL.

[struggle4progress]

15. Press Briefing By Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

<Editor's Note: This transcript was released by the White House on January 30, 2009>
Press Briefing By Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
1:55 P.M. EST

... Q Senator Judd Gregg said he's under consideration for Commerce Secretary. Can you talk a little bit about that?

MR. GIBBS: You know, I -- let me give largely the answer I gave to some of you yesterday, which is -- and some of you heard my ranting on this during the transition -- I'm not going to get into the name-game or the final four of picks for this job or that.

I talked to the President specifically about a decision on the next Commerce Secretary, and the last time I talked to him this morning a final decision had not been made. I know that's something that he hopes to make a decision on and announce shortly. But until the President tells me to make a personnel announcement from this podium, I'll refrain from getting into individual names on that ...

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2009/01/press_briefing_by_press_secretary_robert_gibbs_1.php