*** The race to 60: The Judd-Gregg-for-Commerce-Secretary story is very real. Senate Republicans are upset that he hasn’t put the story to bed. So clearly he’s pondering. One sticking point is that New Hampshire has a Dem governor, John Lynch, and that could give Democrats 60 seats if Gregg leaves and Al Franken eventually wins. One idea floating out there is a deal between Obama/Gregg and Lynch to appoint a caretaker Republican (perhaps ex-Sen. Warren Rudman?). Even if he doesn’t take the job, Gregg is certainly sending the signal that he doesn’t want to run in 2010. That is a terrible sign for the Senate GOP. Another retirement makes the idea of netting a single seat in 2010 nearly impossible. This likely outcome in 2010 actually could mean Lynch and Obama are open to a deal that keeps a Republican in the seat until November 2010, since getting a 60th Senate seat in the coming years seems probable. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/30/1773623.aspx
Warren Rudman?? Might as well appoint a Dem. He’s a liberal Republican who was nearly picked as John Kerry’s running mate, and chaired McCain’s 2000 presidential run.
Obama + 60+ D Senators for four years? America is so ****ed.