Posted by: ST on February 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Huge story:
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 Judd Gregg has abruptly withdrawn as President Barack Obama’s nominee to run the Commerce Department, another blow to an administration trying to build a bipartisan cabinet.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.”
Sounds like a principled move we can all appreciate.
Ed Morrissey responds:
Barack Obama will take another big hit to his transition, but the man who really deserves the obloquy this time is Rahm Emanuel. The census ploy was a transparent attempt to hijack the data for political purposes, and pulling that stunt after Gregg’s appointment made Gregg look like a political eunuch. It was classic overreach, and it’s classic Emanuel.
Now he’s embarrassed himself, made his boss look impotent, and managed at the same time to damage Obama’s most critical piece of domestic policy legislation. If Gregg hits the media circuit to criticize Porkulus, his credibility as an Obama appointee will create a lot of heat on other Republicans and even a few Democrats to stop the runaway train of this bill and force it back into debate.
Hoping, praying …
That’s it! I think The One has just broken President John Tyler’s record for failed Cabinet or other high-level appointments.
That’s change you can believe in!
Gregg resigning – neat
Gregg listing his reasons (the so-called stimulus bill and the census nonsense) – awesome
Gregg getting to keep his Senate seat – even better
Gregg “blindsiding” Obama – priceless
What the GOP needs to do now is get Gregg to make the rounds on TV to complain about the “stimulus” and the census.
Remember, Obama, you asked for it.
Actually, this is a good thing. Now Obama can select a Democrat for Secretary of Commerce and forget about moving the Census to the White House!! Pres. Obama already has a questionable connection to ACORN, which is under federal investigation for voter fraud in several states, and now he wants to personally control the Census which is critical for the electoral college. His personal philosophy is –if you can get away with it, do it. I think moving the Census to the WH is opening the door for manipulation, whereas under the Dept. of Commerce the function must follow specific rules. This guy is really slicker than Willie! Meanwhile he continues to make television appearances as if he were just elected King. How many TV appearances did Bush make in the first three weeks?
Actually, I think Sen. Gregg is the one who looks idiotic. He never should have agreed to take the job in the first place.
As for the census–they should sent you a postcard, and ask you name, age, sex, and how long you’ve been living at that address.
Think of the money they could save by not printing those moronic 12-page forms.
Oh, and since that’s not going to happen, and those forms will appear next year, I urge you to all write HUMAN in the box that asks you for your race.
Of course the media must now cover for Obama declaring the Sec. of Commerce an “obscure” post:
Analysis: Obscure post gives Obama big headache
I cannot begin to tell you how much I loathe the media.
Anthony: I think he gets some kind of bonus points for speed, right?
And, please God, let Ed Morrisey be right about Gregg hitting the circuit and putting the brakes on this monstrosity.
What a rollercoaster ride! One day I’m frightened about how incompetent Obama is. The next day I’m angry. The next day I’m laughing. The next day I’m crying. Could he be worse than Carter? Could he be slicker than Clinton? Hmm …
It seems to me that the real rationale behind backing out is conspicuously missing from Judd’s press conference. He hems and haws how he “could not be Judd Gregg.” But he knows this economy is dropping down the tubes. He does not want to be the head of the department while it goes down. This drop out is a huge story just like ST says. Obama needs a henchman and therefore Gregg is not his guy. So why in the world would Obama even give him a chance in the firstplace? Could it be that the Obama White House is in disarray currently?