Could the Obama administration give the Dems that 60th Senate seat?
An interesting speculation as the rumor that GOP NH Sen. Judd Gregg is being considered for Commerce Secretary. If that were to happen, the Dem Governor of NH would likely appoint that 60th Dem Senator.
Before you pooh pooh the idea, look at it from Gregg's point of view. Although an easy winner in 2004, Gregg has to be thinking about his own reelection bid in 2010, with almost all the Republicans having been blown out of the Northeast, and his party definition being controlled by the anti-Obama Southern wing.
Commerce Secretary might not look too bad as a nest feathering stop. You come out of that job, and you can write your ticket.
Later: Thinking about this more, the deal between the Obama folks, Gregg, and the NH Governor may include a pre-named replacement, or the NH Gov. might not want the heat of flipping the seat. So, the seat may not officially flip, but, at the very least, it'll be a very, very moderate Republican (RINO.)
So, if it's not 60, it'll be at least 59 1/2.
Later: Judd Gregg confirms he's being considered, and Ambinder says he's the frontrunning favorite.
Before you pooh pooh the idea, look at it from Gregg's point of view. Although an easy winner in 2004, Gregg has to be thinking about his own reelection bid in 2010, with almost all the Republicans having been blown out of the Northeast, and his party definition being controlled by the anti-Obama Southern wing.
Commerce Secretary might not look too bad as a nest feathering stop. You come out of that job, and you can write your ticket.
Later: Thinking about this more, the deal between the Obama folks, Gregg, and the NH Governor may include a pre-named replacement, or the NH Gov. might not want the heat of flipping the seat. So, the seat may not officially flip, but, at the very least, it'll be a very, very moderate Republican (RINO.)
So, if it's not 60, it'll be at least 59 1/2.
Later: Judd Gregg confirms he's being considered, and Ambinder says he's the frontrunning favorite.
posted by mikevotes at
11:15 PM
2 Comments:
Gregg is an elitist ass. But he can be a pragmatist if it's politically expedient. During the reign of Bush he could afford to be the administration's heavy in the senate.
I don't like the man. I'm not smart enough to see the political maneuvering Obama is engaged in. But I think I'll trust Obama....
By
-epm, at 1:52 PM
I was hoping you'd chime in.
And I think what they're doing is buying another Republican near the cabinet level and half a Senate seat at no real cost. Commerce is completely non-political, they arrange junkets with business folks to countries pre-chosen.
And you gotta figure an appointed Repub is probably vulnerable in 2 years.
By
mikevotes, at 2:55 PM
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