After being let down by New Mexico Gov. and former presidential candidate Bill Richardson, President Obama now wants Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) to join his administration as Commerce Secretary. Gregg is a fairly low-profile Senator, but evidently is a well-trusted Republican politician.
By luring away a Republican in the Senate, of course, generates a lot of buzz whether President Obama and the Democrats are playing a political hand to achieve the elusive 60-seat filibuster-proof majority. New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is a Democrat, and typically the governor appoints a replacement from his own party. However, Gov. Lynch has pledged that another Republican would be named to fill Gregg’s seat. Would Lynch mess with the balance of power in appointing a RINO (Republican In Name Only)?
Additionally, is Gregg’s appointment as Secretary of Commerce a back-scratching to Senate Republicans regarding the passage of the massive stimulus bill?
