Obama to Pick Republican Senator Judd Gregg for Commerce

3 years ago

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The New York Times is reporting that President Obama will pick New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg as Secret

ary of Commerce as early as Monday:

"Senator Gregg is now the leading candidate for commerce and a pick that could come as early as Monday," a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement had not been made.
Mr. Gregg's name has been circulated for several days as Mr. Obama tries to replace his previous nominee for commerce secretary, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who withdrew amid revelations that a grand jury is investigating how he awarded state government contracts. Mr. Gregg himself said on Friday that he was under consideration.

This could be a nice win-win for Obama and the Democrats, burnishing Obama's bipartisan bona fides as he tries to gain support from GOP Senators for his stimulus bill, while giving the Democrats a shot at a filibuster-proof

majority. The pick is, however, a blow to Wheel of Fortune finalists and Americans with less than two first names.

I think the 60 vote threshold is overrated. The Republicans are currently in a tough spot, loath to filibuster and take ownership of the economic crisis, yet needing to show they can oppose Obama when they think it's called for. How many bills will pass with a 58-41 straight up-or-down vote before their base sees the hollowness of that opposition?

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Filed Under: Democrats, Republicans, Barack Obama, Breaking News, Economy, Bill Richardson, Obama Administration

Tagged: judd gregg, JuddGregg, secretary of commerce, SecretaryOfCommerce

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