CNN

Ed, why not a Repulican? With the economy in shambles, a fiscal conservative (Democrat or Republican) is a smart choice for Commerce Secretary.

why a republican?

I think Gregg knows his days in elected office are numbered – the R's are loosing big time in New England. The Gov better appoint a Democrat though – I don't want to miss Limbaugh popping a vein in his neck.

what are his qualifications?

if he's a tax cheat, he's OK.

How about appointing an independent? But then they usually caucus with one party or the other so I guess that doesn't really matter huh?

"The administration official Saturday spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss administration deliberations."
So doing it anonymously is ok?

Obvious attempt to put another Democrat in the Senate is obvious.

So what is it with so called officials saying "official" things unofficially?
Are these the guys/gals who are not getting attention by doing useful things?

DON'T TAKE THE SEAT. IF FRANKEN WINS HIS SEAT, WE WILL NOT, I REPEAT NOT HAVE A FILIBUSTER PROOF MINORITY IN THE SENATE, as his replacement will be chosen by a Democratic Governor.

This is strictly a political move by Obama's boys to try and cinch up the filibuster stopper so they can finish the demise of the Republic and turn on the Socialistic spigot of revenue sharing. If Gregg takes the non-job, he'll have been a big part of the whole national disaster.

Caroline Kennedy is already packing her bags and moving to New Hampshire.

Meanwhile, over 100,000 have lost their jobs on the Messiah's watch, and the Dow had another down week. If Obama continues at this rate, he is destined to become a one-term failure.

I like Mr. Gibb's response. There are many times when the President's response to the press should be ....

"That's none of your business".

... and this is one of those times.

Mr. Obama, handle our country's affairs with some air of confidentiallilty. When the time is right, you'll share the salient points with the public.

Total disaster. If Gregg had any principles, he would tell Obama thanks but you are on your own.

Judd would bring a republican strong view of trade and global free market into the administration.

I hope that a centrist democrat is picked to replace him if Judd decides to take the job.

I wonder if President Obama would chose a Republican Senator, from a state with a Democrat for governor, in order that the NH governor could fill Sen Judd's vacant seat with a Democrat? Wonder, wonder, wonder?

Yes, please appoint Judd Gregg.

And to the Governor of New Hampshire, appoint a Dem.

A Republican as Commerce Secretary? Wasn't the Republicans who got us into this mess?

Wait, wasn't he obligated to find another non-white when Richardson dropped out? This is definitely a "step backward."

The struggle against institutional racism is never over, I guess.

Please don't abandon the Conservative movement. You will be a complete idiot if you decide to take this post, Senator Judd. It is a win for Socialism and loss for Conservativism and Capitalism.

You will likely lose your seat, next election.

Wise man. I guess he has seen the handwriting on the wall. The GOP is in the dog house. Good for him for wanting more than a bone.

Where is Chuck Hagel? What happened to him?

I guarantee you he's nothing but a pawn in the socailist agenda of the democrats. He will have no power. Obama is playing the bean game.

I think he sounds just like what we need. With the kind of money we are talking about, we need someone with a conservative hand on the till. It would also be very nice, not to have to listen to any more of the Republican filibusters. If he doesn't pan out, he can be replaced in 2010.

Dot

Obama is a smart politician. The Democrats couldn't get to 60 in the senate in November but now they can with the commerce secretary pick and if the Minnesota recount stay where it's at. mission accomplish.

Well, look at it this way, Obama will be able to roll his agenda forward like the red carpet. But, if that agenda fails, there is only one party to blame=Democrats!

AND THE BEAT GOES ON!!!

"The administration official Saturday spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss administration deliberations."

Who ever this "official" is should be fired and so should CNN person for reporting it. I am so sick of hearing this type of stuff.

Not only is Obama smart but he is also shrewd.

If Gregg refuses, OB can say hey we tried to include repubs in the Cabinet. If he accepts, Dems stand a chance of a Democrat appointed as the 60th senator in the U.S.Senate.

It is a win/win for Obama.

I like having a smart man for President once again!

Oh Yes!

I think it is a great idea to have Gregg as the new commerce secretary.
Obama has already bent over backwards for the stubborn republicans and all he gets backs is nonsense and stupidity.

Obama wants change alright, change to the extreme left view. This just n...

"Although the SEIU's campaign efforts focused on Democrats, the union's performance reviews will be strictly nonpartisan, Stern said.

Stern believes that his members are owed something in return for their efforts... He wants to make it easier for unions to form.

President Obama echoed some of those sentiments on Friday, issuing pro-labor executive orders..."

Obama is delivering on his "back room promises". But there's no change from the Chicago style politics BHO grew up in.

That's one way to "get to 60". How about another Repellican in a blue state for HHS?

Now what will Congress fine on him? Every vetting sometimes don't over turn every rock. Every President has had Cabinet members that do not make it. it is the rules of the jungle.

I understand the idea of opening a Senate seat for the Democrats but I just saw Sen. Gregg on CNN where he said he is opposed to the current Stimulus Package because it had too much "pork." He refused to acknowlege that whatever he considered "pork" also created jobs and he did not suggest any ideas for creating jobs. He just blew smoke as all aginners do.
A person to be Commerce Secretary should, at least, have some positive comment as to what he supports.

During the election debates last year, all I heard was Barack Obama never reached out to Republicans. He has already done more in 2 weeks to be bipartisan than George Bush did in 8 years. I simply hope that everyone can stop screaming at each other long enough to actually listen and get some real work done in Washington. The new President is trying to lead by example; maybe the G.O.P. can put aside it`s mindless rhetoric for once and do the same.

I still think Richardson should've been Secretary of State...

During the election debates last year, all I heard was Barack Obama never reached out to Republicans. He has already done more in 2 weeks to be bipartisan than George B

Why a Republican from the GOOFY OLD OARTY????

With the number 60 as the motivation!

can't trust any republicans.

The NH Gov should put a Dem in the Senate seat should it be vacated. The Governor has that discretion.

Wow, Obama really DID read 'Team of Rivals' , Sen. Gregg is Obama's Salmon P. Chase.

Hope he's up-to-date with his taxes

This is the same thing Bush did in 2000. He tried to sure Democratic senators from Republican-leaning areas into his cabinet in order to change the balance in the Senate. The press, of course, was on it immediately, and the Democratic senators turned it down with apologies.

Now Mr. Obama is seeing areas where there is a Republican and where his appointed or elected replacement would most likely be a Democrat. I understand his reasoning, and find nothing evil or clandestine in it. However, I hope that the Republican senators will be as aware of this as Democratic ones were eight years ago.

The Democrats want a filibuster-proof senate. Some Republicans reaching for the gold ring may give it to them.

good for bipartianship.

I think that Judd Gregg is a good pick for Commerce.
though, its 50 50 as to who the Gov of NH picks to be his replacement, a Republican or a Democrat.

"However, two New Hampshire Republican Party sources have suggested to CNN that Gov. John Lynch is careful to appeal to Republicans and might be open to appointing a Republican to "follow the will of the people," according to one of the sources."
---

Since when should a Dem governor try to appeal to Repubs to get their approval about who he or she should pick to replace a Senator? If Sen. Gregg believes that his accepting President Obama's offer to take the job could upset the Senate GOP's chances of fillerbustering, then he should NOT take the job. President Obama tried to get approval from the GOP House for what he wanted to do with the stimulus, and look where that got him. Gov. Lynch, if you're given the opportunity, then PLEASE pick a Dem!

Gregg stay away from the nitiwts

Very wise choice. He'll do a great job!

Don't believe the bi-partisan crap. He'll be replaced by a democrat senator in order to create a filibuster proof Senate.

Welcome Mr Gregg!!!

This is genius.

New Hampshire has a democratic governor which means the Dems will add another senator.

I don't have any opinion on Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary, one thing is that his replacement would be a Democrat.

wonder if this man has paid his taxes? obama doesn't seem to be able to select candidates very well. obama may be a good lawyer but as a manager, a leader, he seems to be lacking so far, to date.

Brilliant! Obama is sticking it to the GOP like it's his job...! They're freaking out now..it's awesome.

Whether or not it is an act of finesse by the Gems, remains to be seen. Nonetheless, a filibuster-proof majority aimed, possibly, by the Dems seems quite mouth-watering. Obviously, the GOP is not salivating. Onecan palpate and feel the dudgeon among the GOP.
Let the games begin.

Not a bad move. The new prez is going as bipartisan and even more than past administrations. 3rd Republican in cabinet

Great. Gov Lynch will appoint a Dem to replace him in the Senate and Obama will get his filibuster proof Senate. Then Obama will fire Gregg and replace him with a freespending socialist leaning Commerce Secretary. He'll kill 2 birds with one stone.

Again Pres. Obama is interested in getting the BEST MAN for a specific position. This shows if the person is the best suited for the position he'll ask him to serve our country. He puts politics aside because he wants the BEST in order to get OUR COUNTRY turned around. Our PRES. is a great man, not about himself. He is sincere when it comes to getting this country back on TRACK, here and in the world. May GOD keep Pres. Obama and his family safe.

60 seats for the democrats in the senate, great choice Mr. Obama

I will support him if he promises to shut down all of the people and radio stations that are spreading Republican lies. They should not be allowed to defy Obama.

Obama's brilliance never ceases to amaze me! Picking a Republican senator from a state which is run by a Democratic governor will almost surely result in another Democratic senator. Don't forget that the governor chooses who he/she wants to become the senator from his/her state, and since John Lynch (gov. of NH) is a democrat, he'll pick a dem to represent NH in the senate!

60 Democratic senators here we come!!

With him out a Democrat will likely replace him giving the Dems the 60 seat majority once MN's race is finalized and Franken declared the winner.

This is why I love Obama. He got 3 republican secretaries in his democratic administration that no other president did. God bless President Obama and his family.

THE ONLY REASON THAT THE DEMOCRATS WANT TO DOLE OUT THE MONEY FOR FIXES OTHER THAN RELIEF ON TAXES IS SO THEY CAN GET THEIR HANDS ON ABOUT 50% OF IT AND THAT PART WILL NEVER GET TO THE PEOPLE. THATS ALWAYS BEEN THE WAY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. LOTS OF MONEY THAT CAN'T BE TRACED BACK .

THANKS

JERRY

Good Pick!

I'M CONFUSED

I'm confused ...perhaps you have the answer. How can two million blacks get into Washington DC in sub zero temps in one day when 200,000 couldn't get out of New Orleans in 85 degrees with four day's notice.. !!!???

Bush would never even have thought to appoint a democrat to this position. Its a new day GOP, and you old relics will have a hard time living in it. The appointment of STeel is so blantantly fake that its pathetic. The GOP is always a day late and a dollar short. You cant fake being inclusive, you either are or it comes across as a con.

"Should Congress cap compensation for employees of any company that accepts federal bailout money?"

Whoa...did you see the numbers? Thank God I ain't over there, LOL!!

Talk about being bi-partisan!

Full disclosure called for. Where do Rush and Hannity make their real money?