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Watch Republicans about him not being bipartisan when he appoints a Democrat to take over instead lol...
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18794.html
New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg has abruptly withdrawn as President Barack Obama’s nominee to run the Commerce Department, another blow to an administration trying to build a bipartisan cabinet.
The surprising turn of events “blind sided” at least one Obama aide who spoke to Politico, and another senior White House official said he was “totally caught off guard” by the news.
“I couldn’t be Judd Gregg and serve in the Cabinet. I should have faced up to the reality of that earlier,” Gregg said. “I’ve been my own person and I began to wonder if I could be an effective team player. The president deserves someone who can block for his policies. As a practical matter I can contribute to his agenda better—where we agree—as a senator and I hope to do that.”
“The fault lies with me,” Gregg said in an interview with Politico, refusing to discuss any conversations he has had with Obama himself. Asked if he felt the decision would be an embarrassment for the president, Gregg said, “I may have embarrassed myself but hopefully not him.”
In a separate statement, Gregg cited his problems with the economic stimulus bill, as well as partisan disagreements over how to run the Census as reasons for pulling his nomination. He was quick to point out that there was nothing in the vetting process that made him yank his own nomination – steering clear of the controversies that killed the Health and Human Services nominee Tom Daschle and chief performance officer nominee Nancy Kileffer, who both withdrew after tax problems.
Ultimately, Gregg said he and Obama “are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.”
Now, Obama has to make a third try in his effort to find a Commerce secretary. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew last month due to an ongoing investigation in his home state.
Further, the president will face fresh questions about his deliberation and vetting process for cabinet nominees as he continues to build his administration.
White House aides, apparently unprepared for the news, didn’t offer comment on news delivered via a press release from Gregg’s Senate office. When Tom Daschle withdrew as nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services, the White House issued a paper release containing statements from both President Obama and the former senator.
Gregg, in his statement, said he admires Obama’s “willingness to reach across the aisle.”
“However, it has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me,” Gregg said. “Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.”
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a member of Democratic leadership, said she expected Gregg to have a smooth confirmation and learned about the decision when the news broke Thursday afternoon.
"I had heard no objections whatsoever," Murray said. "I'm as surprised as anybody."
While the Obama administration now has another embarrassing cabinet nomination withdrawal to deal with, Republicans were already celebrating Gregg’s decision to stay in the Senate.
“Sen. Gregg made a principled decision to return and we’re glad to have him,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). “He is among the smartest, most effective legislators to serve in the Senate—Democrat or Republican—and a key advisor to me and to the Republican Conference. It’s great to have him back.”
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) was equally happy to have one of the top financial minds in the GOP securely on the Republican side of the Senate aisle: “Judd Gregg would have been a strong Cabinet member, but it is good for the country and the Senate that he will continue to be a Republican senator.”
The Gregg news comes as a caretaker Republican, Bonnie Newman, prepared to serve out the remainder out Gregg’s term and prominent members of both parties in the Granite State begin to line up for the 2010 race.
Gregg has scheduled a 5:25 p.m. press conference at the Capitol to discuss his decision.
Watch Republicans about him not being bipartisan when he appoints a Democrat to take over instead lol...
Reps should all just push away from the table and let the dems feast for 4 years.
Yeah, best to keep your hands clean politically by ostensibly not helping the Democrats repair Bush's burning and tattered country. America thanks you.
I agree. The democrats will surely defeat themselves in 2010 that way.
Politics > Fixing America huh?
Why do you guys hate America?
If the republicans want to gain ground, they need to keep their hands clean of liberal policies that will drive this nation into the gutter these next few years.
we're in the gutter. thanks for that.
where's the money you owe us?
Interesting that the census is being moved out of the commerce department and into the white house (to be run by Emanuel).
So much for "transparency".
Obama is Darth Vader to Pelosi's Emperor.
All Republicans can do now is hope that things get worse for America.
Hardly. Im wont be upset if this bill spurns an economic recovery.....but its probably not going to happen. There's very little "Stimulus" in this bill.
I'll see 13 extra bucks in my paycheck in the spring.
Other than that....maybe some more highway construction?
What we KNOW is that this bill does nothing to stop the housing collapse which is the root of the problem.
Amateur hour at the White House.
You were just talking about the tax breaks for homebuyers yesterday.
Own yourself much?
And seriously, this isn't the only law that is being considered or will be passed. It's amazing how eager for change you have become.
LOL! IIRC, we were arguing because I was upset that the only thing in the entire bill that addressed the housing issue is the tax credit that they cut in half.
Own yourself much?
And seriously, this isn't the only law that is being considered or will be passed. It's amazing how eager for change you have become.
IMO, MOST of the bill should be dedicated to the housing market.
I think you realize this bill and the leadership by Obama thus far has been garbage, Chumpdumper.
Also, didn't McCain want the treasury secretary to offer new loans to everyone with an ARM?
Thats probably too much, but it just shows that Republicans weren't against "change", they were just against crap like this stupid bill.
They actually raised the existing one.
Fortunately, congress is able to pass more than one bill into law per year.IMO, MOST of the bill should be dedicated to the housing market.
He's been fine. The stimulus package he wants is going to pass.I think you realize this bill and the leadership by Obama thus far has been garbage, Chumpdumper.
Why? He said the economy was strong.
Except for a few moderates, they are merely obstructionists now.Thats probably too much, but it just shows that Republicans weren't against "change", they were just against crap like this stupid bill.
LOL!
Not agreeing with Obama = "obstructionists"!!
Payroll tax holidays, more natural gas and oil drilling and tax cuts for small businesses equals "wanting to do nothing".
Maybe Emperor Pelosi should invite some republicans to negotiations if she wants any to vote for her bills.
Of course, if Republicans were invited in the first place she probably couldnt have gotten the $30 million to restore wetlands and save the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse in the San Francisco Bay Area.
http://www.ibdeditorial.com/IBDArtic...19334273223204
they did it to see if the move could get more neocons to vote for the bill, they saw it didn't work so he dropped out of the running.
Being obstuctionist = obstructionist. I don't blame them. It's all they have left.
Small potatoes. Were they smart, they would have tried to push for more of the breaks the bill already had,Payroll tax holidays, more natural gas and oil drilling and tax cuts for small businesses equals "wanting to do nothing".
No need to, since they lost so horribly the last election.Maybe Emperor Pelosi should invite some republicans to negotiations if she wants any to vote for her bills.
Wetland restoration is a good thing. Hopefully it's done in Louisiana too on a much larger scale.Of course, if Republicans were invited in the first place she probably couldnt have gotten the $30 million to restore wetlands and save the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse in the San Francisco Bay Area.
http://www.ibdeditorial.com/IBDArtic...19334273223204
I think Dems are making the same mistake the Republicans did after a "big" win; not realizing how equally divided the electorate ACTUALLY is....what did Obama win by, 7-8%, so 5 in 100 change their minds, and everything is reversed?
Lot's of seats have changed hands, but their are many Democrats sitting in seats that are used to being red. Overreaching, and bullying, created complete ownership of ALL the problems the country has - and from the way things are starting, the Dems are gonna own everything real soon.
you could say they'll own it.
but they didn't build it.
they inherited it.
do you want to take the credit away from the builder?
They WANT to own everything right now. We'll see if it works.
I thought the main goal of government service was to help America not "gain ground"?
Why do you hate America?
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