by Christi Parsons
Sen. Judd Gregg has assured Republican leadership that he won't take the job as Commerce secretary unless he's certain his replacement in the Senate will line up with the GOP caucus.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said this morning that he's not worried a change in the partisan makeup of the chamber will come about with the likely departure of Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican.
"Whoever is appointed to replace him will caucus with Senate Republicans," McConnell said in a morning interview on CBS' Face the Nation. "Sen. Gregg has told me that if he were to take this appointment, it would not alter the makeup of the Senate in terms of the majority and the minority."
President Barack Obama is expected to appoint Gregg to the commerce position, possibly as early as Monday.
The ultimate decision belongs to New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, who hasn't yet said anything publicly about which candidates he is considering as Gregg's replacement.
But the state arguably stands to benefit if its veteran senator joins the Obama administration, and state Democrats like their chances for upending a Republican appointee better than those of beating an incumbent Gregg next year.
Another news nugget from this morning's talk shows: former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle is set to meet privately with key senators to discuss the tax problem now plaguing his confirmation as Health and Human Services secretary.
Former Senate colleagues, even Republicans, avoided pummeling Daschle this morning, though Sen. Susan Collins did offer cautionary words.
"This is a legitimate issue," she said. "We need some answers. We need more of an explanation than we have now. It's an awful lot of money."
Comments
I don't think McConnell understood what Gregg was saying. Read it again.
Posted by: Tom J | February 1, 2009 1:06 PM
I'm glad President Obama is open-minded enough to offer Republican lawmakers a place at the cabinet table. If only Republican lawmakers were open-minded enough to consider supporting his legislative agenda!
If Gregg takes this post (assuming the rumors are true), what right does he have to determine who takes his seat? Maybe the NH gov will put it up for sale?
Posted by: athena | February 1, 2009 2:55 PM
Should recipients of taxpayer favors continue to send jobs offshore?
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http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2009/01/should-bailout-beneficiaries-be.html
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Where are the controls?
Where is the common sense?
Posted by: James Raider | February 1, 2009 6:20 PM
It is my understanding that the explosive overpopulation especially in China, India, Brazil , which make up almost half the global population, can be behind this financial crunch. As China, India fell short of self-sufficiency in natural resources unlike before, they began hunting for the resources from the other countries, meanwhile, the U.S. opted for a seemingly convenient path of invasion rather than advanced science /technology available for sustainable energies, worse yet, during that period petrol cost has shown steep increase, which finally has disorganized a century-old energy base. Until recently, nonsense thus overruled science, low price prouct quality. Now this century calls for a fresh, smart energy base, like a old saying, nothing adventured, nothing gained, I'd say. The smart idea to reduce the deficit can go to energy-saving endeavour, and it is a matter of life and death for the now and future, I think.
Posted by: hsr0601 | February 2, 2009 12:30 AM
Its a pig in a poke, Don't trust them. If have to ask yourself would I buy a used car from them. Then you will have your answer.
Posted by: Paul | February 2, 2009 12:58 PM
Well said, Paul. Obama's trying to pull a fast one. The trap is obvious enough. If Gregg is dumb enough to stick his foot in it, the entire country will be in big trouble.
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspirator | February 2, 2009 2:03 PM
That sounds like "real" politics...the typical "We make good weather", and I thought we had gone a change.
Posted by: Small Obama | February 3, 2009 2:34 PM