If he took WHAT gig? This doesn’t make sense to an outsider ...
Supposedly Warren Rudman would take the seat and promise not to run in two years. (whether he would participate in the GOP cloture votes is another matter)
Commerce Secretary........If Senator Gregg accepted the position then it would leave his Senate seate open in Minnesota. That would then allow the state governor to appoint whomever he wants to the position. Just like what's happening in Illinois.....
The sitting Republican Senator from New Hampshire, Judd Gregg, is being considered for Secretary of Commerce in the Obama Administration. The Commerce position was originally offered to Gov Richardson of NM, who had to withdraw due to an investigation of him back in NM.
IF Gregg were to take the appointment, his senate seat would be vacated. The governor of NH, a Democrat, would appoint a successor to his seat. It is assumed she would appoint a fellow Democrat.
A Democrat appointment in NH would provide the Democrats in the US Senate with 60 seats, a fillibuster-proof majority. The GOP dodged that bullet with the runoff re-election of Saxby Chambliss in Georgia. With the MN race still up for grabs, the GOP cannot afford to lose one Senate seat to the Dems.
It’s all about the balance in the Senate.