Bipartisanship dead? Huge blow for Obama as Gregg withdraws as Commerce Secretary nominee

Daily Telegraph (London) ^ | February 13, 2009 | Toby Harnden

[Zakeet]

The bombshell news that Senator Judd Gregg, citing policy differences over the stimulus bill and Census, is pulling out as Commerce Secretary is a major blow to President Barack Obama. Here's a quick take on why:

1. To have a fiscally conservatives Republican in the Cabinet alongside fellow Republicans ... gave Obama something tangible to back up his claims of a bright bipartisanship dawn heralded by his administration. That's gone now. ...

2. Obama's now lost two Commerce Secretaries ... as Oscar Wilde would have blogged: "To lose one Commerce Secretary, Mr Obama, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness."

3. This shows ineptness and disorganisation within the Obama administration ...

4. The timing is terrible for Obama ...

5. This helps Republicans in the Senate ...

6. The New Hampshire seat will no longer be an open seat in 2010 ...

7. The fact that Gregg has resigned on principle in part over the stimulus bill will seriously damage Obama's chances of boosting the popularity of his massive spending package ...

8. [Gregg] would not have taken such a dramatic step unless certain promises that had been made to him had been reneged on

9. [Gregg's withdrawal] hurts Barry's momentum

10. [The withdrawal] starts a "nasty blame game between Gregg and the White House - something which can only diminish Obama"

[Zakeet]

I'm still exhibiting my usual standards of excellence in leadership

[Holicheese]

I don’t get what Judd Gregg was thinking in the first place. Was he going to convince Dear Leader to change his ways?

[SolidWood]

In hindsight it was good that he accepted first. Else he couldn’t have withdrawn and embarrassed Obamboo.

[Dr. Ursus]

I bet Medium Papi is on the 103 list!

[Nonstatist]

In hindsight it was good that he accepted first. Else he couldn’t have withdrawn and embarrassed Obamboo.

Brilliant move on his part; I applaud him greatly. In fact , I think I'll hang a framed picture of him on my wall.

[Holicheese]

Papi just got big from home cooking and eating tons of his hot mango salsa.....Uhhhhhh mommi! (he has his own salsa line in Boston and that was his advert)
Papi never had to do the beans unlike Hurray-Rod.
Do I blame any of these guys who did juice? Nope. But I know that there will be a few names on that list that I will say...DAMN.
Nomar is on that list I will bet.

[Dr. Ursus]

I got two bucks on Pujols!

[prophetic]

he must have figured out that running to the rear of a moving train does not make go backwards...

[rightwingintelligentsia]

I’m glad Gregg withdrew, since his appointment was only window dressing for Obamba’s phony claims of bipartisanship.

His removal of the census from Commerce demonstrated that he intended Gregg to be a figurehead only.

The only thing that bothered me about Gregg’s press conference yesterday is that he said he would be instrumental in “carrying water” for Obama on certain issues in his role in the Senate. Gregg shouldn’t be carrying water for anyone except the American people.

[RC2]

Obama will not pick someone from ACORN to fill the slot. He has to have someone from the socialist party.

[Cyber Ninja]

[kidd]

Charles Osbourne does a 2-minute spot on the radio station I listen to while I’m getting ready for work.

This morning, he did a drive-by piece on the Gregg resignation.

He played a highly edited quote from Gregg mentioning how he admired Obama but he it wouldn’t be fair to either him or Obama if he continued.

Then he played a clip from Obama expressing his admiration for Gregg.

THERE WAS NO MENTION ABOUT OBAMA MOVING THE CENSUS RESPONSIBILITY FROM COMMERCE TO CHEIF OF STAFF.

Nor was there any mention of how Senator Gregg listed it as a key reason for his resignation.

I swear, if you listen to the MSM, you are not only misinformed, you are dis-informed.

[skeeter]

“Here, sign this” isn’t “bipartisanship”.

[Holicheese]

When I hear about these wrist and tendon injuries, it makes me wonder. Nomar was definatley juicing.
Clemens is a dope.

[Oldpuppymax]

Gregg, like the majority of the 100 most arrogant people on the planet, was probably thinking he could trade a seat from a weakened, useless party and get a nifty, cushy 4 year gig. The only difference...being a RINO in the executive rather than the legislative branch.

[freekitty]

Yep, this turkey all belong to Obama.

[pallis]

Maybe Gregg got a glimpse of what real evil looks like, and he couldn’t stomach being a part of it. Too bad the other RINOs don’t have a conscience.