I’m sure someone will post some more details, but here is his statement:
I want to thank the President for nominating me to serve in his Cabinet as Secretary of Commerce. This was a great honor, and I had felt that I could bring some views and ideas that would assist him in governing during this difficult time. I especially admire his 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. 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.Obviously the President requires a team that is fully supportive of all his initiatives.
I greatly admire President Obama and know our country will benefit from his leadership, but at this time I must withdraw my name from consideration for this position.
As we move forward, I expect there will be many issues and initiatives where I can and will work to assure the success of the President’s proposals. This will certainly be a goal of mine.
Kathy and I also want to specifically thank Governor Lynch and Bonnie Newman for their friendship and assistance during this period. In addition we wish to thank all the people, especially in New Hampshire, who have been so kind and generous in their supportive comments.
As a further matter of clarification, nothing about the vetting process played any role in this decision. I will continue to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate.
sabutai says
A – He sincerely didn’t realize that as Obama’s Commerce Secretary, he would be implementing Obama’s (own) directives, and not Gregg’s (Republican) ideas. Particularly regards the Senate.
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p>B – His links to Abramoff are less tenuous than appears.
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p>C – Other skeletons in the closet
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p>More important is who to put in his place, however. I think we’ve learned what bipartisanship means to the Republicans — the equivalent to ostentatiously putting down your weapon in front of a hungry wolf. I’d like to see a Democrat from now on, somebody who can add and run a census, ideally.
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p>How about Tom Allen?
lightiris says
I’m pleased the marriage between Gregg and the Obama administration will not be consummated as that marriage would likely have resulted, metaphorically speaking, in a lifetime of alcholism, anger, and adultery.
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p>What a close call that was. I suspect the Gregg near-miss might be the wake-up call Obama needs to fully understand that some relationships are just not meant to be.
kirth says
I have to say it struck me as really odd that he wasn’t trusted with the Census, but he’d be fine running Commerce. ?
john-beresford-tipton says
Votes are the name of the game for politicians. They convert quickly to cash. The fellow that took Dick Cheney’s job as puppeteer, Rahm Emanuel, understands that well.
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p>”Bipartisanship” is a cutesy word, but would you trust the Republicans with your wallet?
johnmurphylaw says
My speculation is that it’s not so much a late realization that the parties are far apart philosophically, or that there are Abramoff or other skeletons in the closet, but instead a self serving run from responsibility. It’s the same vibe I’ve been picking up from a lot of the Republican rhetoric.
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p>Think about it. If you have fears that our best efforts won’t be able to halt the economic slide (and who doesn’t) why not distance yourself from the fight and stand ready to place blame on the bailout and the new administration? Cowardly? Yes. Abdication of leadership responsibility? Absolutely. As far as I can see, this guy Gregg is just an opportunistic piece of crap who just displayed his true colors. Let’s salute him. Better now than later.
cmgately says
Long time fan, first time commenter.
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p>Not only did he throw Gov. Lynch under the bus with this one he also just looks bad. Way to stay classy, Judd. And going 0-2 on Commerce cannot make the President’s people too happy.
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p>Confirms that he will not seek re-election
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p>NHDP Chair’s statement HERE
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p>Happy Thursday, folks.
kbusch says
mr-lynne says
bluetoo says
…that Senator Gregg is causing some embarassment for the President. That’s what happens when you apppoint a conservative, right-wing, anti-gay zealot to your cabinet. I hope President Obama learns quickly. And I think he’s a heckuva lot better off without Gregg in his Cabinet.
david says
from TPM.
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p>
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p>Seriously, what did they think was going to happen?
david says
Link. (HT Blue Hampshire, of course.)
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p>So … let’s see. Gregg has embarrassed the president, screwed his own party (by creating a true open seat in 2010), and made Gov. Lynch look ridiculous (over the absurd demand that a Democratic Governor fill an open Senate seat with a Republican). Am I missing anything? Not bad for a couple weeks’ work.
david says
By the way, Rep. Paul Hodes (who has already announced for the Senate in 2010) is live-blogging over at Blue Hampshire until 7 pm.
trickle-up says
to a needless fiasco.
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p>And, in the silver-lining department, a useful if unpleasant reminder that our best and brightest are capable of really dumb stuff right out of the gate.
david says
we knew that already. đŸ˜‰
pablo says
How many candidates will President Obama need to run through before he gets to someone who actually wants the job? I’m waiting for my turn. I would support my president, and I pay my taxes.
sabutai says
Are you Republican, or at least BiPartisan? Has David Broder met you personally?
pablo says
… in Arlington. In the rest of the nation, I’m probably to the left of Bernie Sanders.
stomv says
One fallout of this in the short term is that getting to 60 will be a little bit harder.
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p>When Gregg had to run for reelection in Blue Hampshire in 2010, he may have had to come to the Dems on some votes. His proposed replacement, an Obama supporter, likely would have voted with the Dems on some votes.
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p>But Gregg is now pissed with Obama, and isn’t running for election in 2010. He’s “free” to vote however he wants, free from political pressure. I’d bet he’s never casting his ballot on the side of 60, 61, or 62.
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p>Gregg loses in this game, but the Dems lose too perhaps, at least in the myopic sense of passing legislation in the Senate.
christopher says
…in whatever advantage there might have been in so quickly becoming the SENIOR Senator from NH. It also would have been ironic to have gone so quickly from first woman elected to the Senate from NH to being one of two.
stomv says
since Shaheen is in the majority party and Gregg in the minority. Besides, it’s a short lived regression for her; she’ll be senior in 2010, a prospect that wasn’t so certain four weeks ago.