Gregg Drops Out as Commerce Pick

(NEWSER) - President Obama—now 0 for 2 on commerce nominations—said Judd Gregg's decision to back out today came as a "something of a surprise," the State Journal-Register of Springfield reports. "The truth, you know, Mr. Gregg approached us with interest and seemed enthusiastic," said Obama. The Republican senator told Politico he felt he "couldn't be Judd Gregg" as commerce chief because of "irresolvable" differences in philosophy with the president. More»

Tapping NH's Gregg could give Democrats 60 seats in Senate

(NEWSER) - Democrats may get their 60-seat Senate majority after all. President Obama is considering New Hampshire Republican Judd Gregg for the Commerce Secretary post Bill Richardson declined, sources tell Politico. New Hampshire’s Democratic governor would then get to appoint Gregg’s successor. Asked if he’d been offered the job, Gregg replied, “I am not at liberty to discuss that.” More»

(NEWSER) - As she coasts toward confirmation, Sonia Sotomayor picked up the support of a 9th Republican today, reports MSNBC. Ohio Sen. George Voinovich’s promised yea joins yesterday's announcement by Kit Bond of Missouri and on-again-off-again Obama cabinet nominee Judd Gregg of New Hampshire. Voinovich is among four of six retiring GOP senators who have pledged their support to Sotomayor—which means almost half of her GOP support won’t face reelection. More»

(NEWSER) - Judd Gregg’s flirtation with the top job at Commerce has brought the partisan battle over the US Census to the fore with just a year to go before before the official count, the New York Times reports. Most Americans may not think of the census as a political tool, but it helps determine representation, districting, and federal dollars. Republicans publicly suspect Gregg quit because the White House intends to take over the operation, something the administration denies. More»

Senator's decision to quit is rallying cry for Republicans

(NEWSER) - Judd Gregg said the right bipartisan things, but to a Republican Party in need of a boost, his withdrawal as nominee for commerce secretary feels like an act of defiance against the administration, reports Politico. When his decision was announced in a party meeting, attendees broke into applause. "Sen. Gregg has shown the American people the type of selfless leadership they should only hope to see from the White House," Rep. Tom Price said in a statement. More»