Gregg pulls out of nomination - NOT ENOUGH TAX CUTS

[Holmes]

http://www.rollcall.com/news/31881-1.html

I don't believe it... of course, after Snowe, he's been Obama's biggest Republican ally.

[Torie]

Why would Gregg take such an unimportant crappy job, in lieu of being an esteemed Senator, whose replacement would be a Democrat?

[Lunar]

Maybe he wants to end his career and not be in the extreme minority for two years

Gregg's more than competent.  If Obama wants to appoint Collins or some of the other cats, that'd be chill too.

[Brittain33]

Why would Gregg take such an unimportant crappy job, in lieu of being an esteemed Senator, whose replacement would be a Democrat?

Cost-benefit analysis? He hasn't had to run a serious race in 18 years and might not relish the thought of doing so in the current climate.

[Holmes]

Anyone know if New Hampshire has an appointment law saying the appointee must be of the same party as the person leaving?

If someone like Hodes is appointed, it could scare Shea-Porter from running, making NH-01 less competitive.

[Daniel Adams]

Awfully sneaky way for the Democrats to reach a filibuster-proof majority.

[Brittain33]

Anyone know if New Hampshire has an appointment law saying the appointee must be of the same party as the person leaving?

I would guess no because it never would have been an issue until quite recently...

[Boris]

Why would Gregg take such an unimportant crappy job, in lieu of being an esteemed Senator, whose replacement would be a Democrat?

He could possibly view a job that pays well for doing nothing as quite attractive.

[Holmes]

Awfully sneaky way for the Democrats to reach a filibuster-proof majority.

Obama, Lynch and Gregg are all in cahoots. I can't believe Gregg would sell out the Republican party like that!

Granny D must be appointed.

[Lief 🗽]

I would be fine with this.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Awfully sneaky way for the Democrats to reach a filibuster-proof majority.

[Lunar]

The 60-vote margin is fictional people. You'll never get all Democrats and all Republicans on different sides of a cloture vote except on super-rare circumstances.

It's a sneaky way to steal a vote, not a 60-level vote.

Although I think the sneakiest aspect of it is an attempt to remove the 59-60 issue from the statewide campaigns in 2010.  Every vulnerable Republican otherwise will claim that his seat will make the blank-check difference of control.

Awfully sneaky way for the Democrats to reach a filibuster-proof majority.

Thanks for another contributive quotation btw.

[Holmes]

I don't know why Republicans are being mean about this. I'd much rather hear "yeah, I love Gregg, he'd be great in the cabinet". And if you can't at least do that, shouldn't you be bashing him instead for potentially accepting it? It'd be his fault.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Awfully sneaky way for the Democrats to reach a filibuster-proof majority.

Obama, Lynch and Gregg are all in cahoots. I can't believe Gregg would sell out the Republican party like that!

Granny D must be appointed.

I would totally be in favor of Granny D being a placeholder until 2010. Aside from her inexplicable support of Mike Gravel.

[Brittain33]

Bob Smith is looking for a comeback. (See the Florida 2010 thread.)

[Holmes]

Awfully sneaky way for the Democrats to reach a filibuster-proof majority.

Obama, Lynch and Gregg are all in cahoots. I can't believe Gregg would sell out the Republican party like that!

Granny D must be appointed.

I would totally be in favor of Granny D being a placeholder until 2010. Aside from her inexplicable support of Mike Gravel.

She can start all her speeches with "I didn't walk 3000 miles for..."

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Gregg would be awesome.  He's one of my favorite Republicans, and I'd support him if he ran for reelection in 2010.

[Ronnie]

Why would Gregg take such an unimportant crappy job, in lieu of being an esteemed Senator, whose replacement would be a Democrat?

I have to agree here.  Who the hell would want to be Sec. of Commerce over senator?

[Brittain33]

I would totally be in favor of Granny D being a placeholder until 2010. Aside from her inexplicable support of Mike Gravel.

She just turned 99 last weekend. It would be awesome to appoint her only for the purpose of breaking Strom Thurmond's record for oldest senator, assuming she's in good enough health to do so.

[Holmes]

Why would Gregg take such an unimportant crappy job, in lieu of being an esteemed Senator, whose replacement would be a Democrat?

I have to agree here.  Who the hell would want to be Sec. of Commerce over senator?

Gregg is either voting with Obama for everything because of this appointment, Obama's popularity in New England or he isn't like the majority of other Republicans. Either way, he's still making Republicans angry about it. Not to mention they're in a big minority that'll probably get worse. Having 4 or 8 years as a Cabinet members is good for a resume or a good way to retire.

Also, he hasn't had a serious opponent in 18 years. Leaving the Senate with 2 landslide victories isn't so bad, even if it's a half-truth.

[Brittain33]

The NY Times is now reporting the WH has approached Gregg about the idea. It's gone from floating to aloft.

[Smash255]

Why would Gregg take such an unimportant crappy job, in lieu of being an esteemed Senator, whose replacement would be a Democrat?

I have to agree here.  Who the hell would want to be Sec. of Commerce over senator?

Gregg is either voting with Obama for everything because of this appointment, Obama's popularity in New England or he isn't like the majority of other Republicans. Either way, he's still making Republicans angry about it. Not to mention they're in a big minority that'll probably get worse. Having 4 or 8 years as a Cabinet members is good for a resume or a good way to retire.

Also, he hasn't had a serious opponent in 18 years. Leaving the Senate with 2 landslide victories isn't so bad, even if it's a half-truth.

He has always been more moderate than the defeated Sununu was, so that might have something to do with it.  Also could be vying for the spot, and if he doesn't get it looking at his shoulder for 2010 knowing he will likely have a fight on his hands in a state which has gotten much more Democratic.

[Aizen]

This is genius! I support this. Then we can pick up that senate seat in NH aww yeah

[Lunar]

AP is rollin' with the story too
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hXucyd-OL6DWZU60JZoZ9stZJSZgD9616QHO0

[Keystone Phil]

I just saw this on Politics1. What a very clever move by Obama. I hope to God that Gregg doesn't take it. As expected, the Republicans are giving him hell about this.