Gregg to Take Commerce Job

Sources say Lynch would appoint interim GOP member

(NEWSER) - Republicans say they have a deal in place to make sure that if Barack Obama picks Judd Gregg to head the Commerce Department, they won't lose that 41st seat they need to mount a filibuster. Officials expect New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch to pick his former chief of staff Bonnie Newman—a veteran of the Reagan administration—to replace Gregg, the Union-Leader reports. 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»

If he takes Commerce, they want NH governor to pick a Republican

(NEWSER) - Republicans are stepping up efforts to keep Judd Gregg from jumping to Barack Obama’s Cabinet, or, failing that, to convince New Hampshire’s Democratic governor to pick a Republican to replace him. Otherwise, Democrats would gain a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority. “It would be a loss to the Senate of a great mind,” said one high-ranking Republican. Asked what Republicans would offer to keep Gregg, he replied, “Whatever it is, name it.” 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»

(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»