Posted on 02/12/2009 1:17:04 PM PST by STARWISE
Edited on 02/12/2009 1:29:09 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Developing.
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GREGG WITHDRAWS NOMINATION FOR COMMERCE SEC
Thu Feb 12 2009 16:18:14 ET
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Senator Gregg Statement on His Withdrawal for Consideration of U.S. Commerce Secretary
Sen. Gregg stated, “I want to thank the President for nominating me to serve in his Cabinet as Secretary of Commerce. This was a great honor, and I had felt that I could bring some views and ideas that would assist him in governing during this difficult time. I especially admire his willingness to reach across the aisle.
“However, it has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me. Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.
“Obviously the President requires a team that is fully supportive of all his initiatives.
“I greatly admire President Obama and know our country will benefit from his leadership, but at this time I must withdraw my name from consideration for this position.
“As we move forward, I expect there will be many issues and initiatives where I can and will work to assure the success of the President´s proposals. This will certainly be a goal of mine.
“Kathy and I also want to specifically thank Governor Lynch and Bonnie Newman for their friendship and assistance during this period. In addition we wish to thank all the people, especially in New Hampshire, who have been so kind and generous in their supportive comments.
“As a further matter of clarification, nothing about the vetting process played any role in this decision. I will continue to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate.”
Damn proud of you, Senator. Of course, he made you vote “present” on Porkulus.
I think he is very intelligent, and has a great handle on the fedgov financing, etc. I was very disappointed to see him sell TARP. He seemed to do a 180 relating to the wisdom of the fedgov going on a spending binge, and it was clear that something spooked him, and how.
I see this as a net positive move, even though I have pretty strong doubts about the character of the man (as a result of my impression when he went from fiscal conservative to 1000% behind TARP), but I have no doubt about his intelligence.
Bailing out of the Obama offer shows a sign of integrity and character, so it's quite welcome.
Thank you
Setting up his own little Politburo isn't he !
Token Cabinet but real power in the WH.
Yes and no re; putting the country before his own ego. He shouldn’t have accepted in the first place.
The Dems will try to torture this man. They will not let Gregg “off” for this. Just wait and see.
Thats Judd way of saying, you tried to pull a fast fast one Mr President so go Eff yourself.
What an embarrassment Obama is.
And fair was the last thing they wanted!
Let me put it this way, there’s smart (intellect) and then there’s wise....accepting this role was unwise.
thanks for the link... I sent him an email thanking him for not compromising his convictions.
I think this is a great political win for Gregg and maybe sets him up for something bigger in the future. He can say, “I took 0bama at his word that he wanted my input. I wanted to serve the country and work for its betterment. But I could not work in good conscience in this administration.” He looks principled and bi-partisan at the same time.
Good that he will hold a Press Conference rather than just issue a statement!!!!!!!!
This is from their website. Already, helping to throw Gregg under the bus.....
From CNN's John King and Jessica Yellin
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A Democratic source close to the Obama White House said Thursday that Judd Gregg "campaigned for the job" — that the New Hampshire senator had asked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to approach the president about the Commerce post.
Gregg "sat with [Obama], said he wanted the job, knew his policies and erratically dropped out without warning," said the source, minutes after the Republican senator announced his withdrawal from consideration.
[From the reports it seemed as though the census would remain in Commerce, but that it would also be reported to the Chief of Staff. ]
That was the liberal spin! Don’t buy it! They were going to totally remove Gregg from the process while claiming he had oversight! Apparently, Gregg told them to take a hike! He didn’t want to provide cover for their scam.
Obviously he realizes Obama won’t really be receptive to GOP ideas, which based on this is why I think he accepted it in the first place...he could be a voice to get some alternative ideas in the WH.
Once he came to believe that wouldn’t be the case, he decided to back out.
Stuned again. Darn beebers.
Smart man-—I guess he realized that Obama was playing him for a fool by first nominating him for the job and then jerking away the job’s biggest responsibility, the 2010 Census.
“Bailing out of the Obama offer shows a sign of integrity and character, so it’s quite welcome.”
I have to give him credit for doing the right thing in the end. I called his office to say thank you. We don’t get to make too many of those calls these days.
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