The Judd Gregg Decision: Good For Democrats Or Good For Republicans?
Sunday, February 1, 2009 at 10:46PM Republicans should be happy as rabbits in a cabbage patch with the possibility that President Barack Obama may nominate New Hampshire United States Senator Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary, thus giving a lifelong and conservative Republican a position on his Cabinet.
I should add that I like Judd Gregg personally, but -- surprise -- I don't care for his politics very much. I did enjoy his Dad, the late Governor Hugh Gregg, even more -- I worked with him during the final few years of his life on the cause of making the New Hampshire First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary more important than ever.
Interestingly, many New Hampshire Republicans are not thrilled by Judd Gregg's possible nomination, and many of my fellow Democrats, a bit to my chagrin, are jumping with joy. Many Democrats seem to be viewing this as the opportunity of getting Judd Gregg out of our state's politics by putting him into a low-visibility bureaucratic job.
But Commerce Secretary is nothing to sneeze at, and it isn't just a paper-pushing position. In addition to being in the White House Cabinet room on a regular basis, Judd Gregg would be running a department with over 38,000 personnel. He will have hire and fire rights over many employees, and will be bringing onto his team hundreds of new hires as others leave or retire. Don't doubt he will expand and strengthen the role of his department into a variety of far-reaching political, economic and trade areas as well. Lots of trips. Lots of media interviews. Lots of new contacts.
During these past few days, I've expressed my opposition to Judd Gregg's nomination. I'm not as convinced as some of my Democratic colleagues that he's toward the end of his career. I see that he could become Commerce Secretary/Cabinet Member, and use his new role to revitalize the Republican Party in New Hampshire and nationally.
In fact, he's still a young man in political terms, and could well serve in the Cabinet for two or three years, then resign "in good conscience" if he decides he's had enough of the Obama Administration.
He'd be a tough competitor if he decided to run for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination, or his endorsement would be a powerful voice for whomever runs. He would be a viable Vice Presidential selection. He's already been a Governor, a Congressperson, and a longtime Senator -- plus he would have shown some effort at bipartisanship by taking a role in Obama's Administration. Add to that all those trips, media interviews, and new contacts as Commerce Secretary.
By Judd Gregg going to the White House Cabinet, 2010 also opens up for another run for Senate by John E. Sununu, who in my judgement is a tough competitor for any Democrat currently considering the race. It heightens and intensifies the voice of NH Republican Chair John Sununu-The-Dad as well. He would be the lead Republican spokesperson, and I know from my past experience with him that he is quite capable of being so quite effectively. New Hampshire Republicans would be well-positioned to do very well in an off-year election.
I'm still hopeful that Barack Obama will not finalize his selection of Judd Gregg. Democrats have a good bench for that job, and there are other Republicans from whom to choose. But if it is Gregg, Governor John Lynch has to make the tough decision of whom to appoint to Gregg's seat. It should, in my opinion, be a Democrat, but Republicans can make a strong argument that in 2004 the voters decided to choose a Republican, so it's a Republican seat.
Besides, Gregg might not accept the Commerce position unless he has some commitment from Lynch that he'll name a Republican, at least in a "caretaker" role. If so, how does that help Democrats in Washington? I see this entire episode as a loss-loss for New Hampshire and national Democrats; and as a win-win for Republicans.
I hope John Lynch chooses a Democrat, but if it must be a Republican, former Governor Walter Peterson would be my choice. I've known him since my very first term in the NH House in 1969, and have worked with him these past two years on the "Granny D" voluntary campaign public funding concept, which he could highlight as his legacy in the United States Senate during the next two years.
We're going to see and hear a lot of discussion about this during the next week or two if Gregg is formally nominated, and John Lynch then has to soon make a replacement appointment. I look forward, though I'm not overly-anxious, to see the discussion and watch what happens.
Reader Comments (5)
This is clearly a political move on Obama's part and Gregg would be a fool to play into this hand.
or the President to honor any so-called 'agreement' to appoint a Republican. In any case former Gov Walter Peterson is in my opinion, RINO at best, he has been more Democrat than most "Dems" since I have known him.
This an obvious ploy to get complete control of the Senate.
In an honest world this situation would be a great opportunity to work for our common good, unfortunately Utopia is not today's world.
I like the person- Judd Gregg. I hope he does well. I agree that the commerce dept is not an empty suit job--anymore than most of the other posts DOE or education--or the non-cabinet posts like climate czar; that's a waste of time. But I hope he can make a mark for himself.
Hopefully Mr. Lynch will abide the claims that he has promised to appoint a moderate republican--but it would not be much of a change in my estimation from where Judd Gregg has been in tha past few years.