(CNN) – It looks like Democrats may not reach 60 votes in the Senate after all.
In a statement released Monday, New Hampshire’s Democratic Governor John Lynch all but promised to replace Republican Judd Gregg with another Republican in the very likely event that President Obama names the New Hampshire senator to lead the Commerce Department.
“I have had conversations with Senator Gregg, the White House and U.S. Senate leadership,” Lynch said in the statement published on his official Web site. “Senator Gregg has said he would not resign his seat in the U.S. Senate if it changed the balance in the Senate. Based on my discussions, it is clear the White House and Senate leadership understand this as well.
“It is important that President Obama be able to select the advisors he feels are necessary to help him address the challenges facing our nation,” Lynch also said Monday.
In recent days, Gregg has risen to the top of the list of likely picks for Commerce Secretary, a cabinet post that has remained open since New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew himself from consideration.
From CNN Politics
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This is a bad idea all the way around. The only sane reason to choose a Repuglican for the Cabinet is to take the Senate seat for the Dems. If that is off the table, Obama needs to pick a Dem for Commerce...who needs more Repuglican ideas about the economy anyway? Aren't they the ones who screwed it up to begin with?
Find someone else. I wonder if the same deal will be made to replace the governor of Arizona. Who cares about the people? When would a republican ever replace a republican with a democrat? This is not let's make a deal. The people voted for the democrats carry out the agenda of the people and stop begging.
Martha... lay off the afternoon martinis before posting.
As for replacing a Republican with a Republican, I think the Governor should do just that.
After all... the PEOPLE of the state of NH voted for a Republican Senator, not a Democrat.
I think it would be a disservice to the voters of NH to replace their Senator with one from another party.
That tells me Gregg hasn't paid his taxes if he is on Obama's cabinent.
Yeah, but no one can tell him "which" Republican to appt. It'll be hard to find, but there's got to be some fence sitters out there somewhere. Pick someone who won't just mindlessly vote with all his other Republican cohorts please. Preferrably someone with a brain.
Love how democrats wont admit that they have controlled congress. But they will be voted out next election. Try your blame game some where else.
Why pick this guy President Obama? Pick a Democrat or Independent - this is who voted for you.
Why pick this guy President Obama? Pick a Democrat or Independent — this is who voted for you.
No way to we want the White House and both houses of congress in control of the free-spending democrats. Appoint a republican to replace Sen Gregg. The people of New Hampshire elected a republican and they should have a republican.
How is this different then what happen in IL. Either you want the job or you don't. To make conditions to the Gov. and the President sounds a lot like pay to play. I hope Obama doest not select him under theses conditions.
I saw none of these negative leftist post when in IL except wanting a black democrat to replace Obama. Republicans had no problem with IL doing it so what's the problem with this???
Oh that's right, it's not a democrat!
BWWAAAAAAAHHHHHAAAAAAA!!!!
Well, that will shut up the right wing talking heads who said this was a ploy by President Obama to put the GOP in a tough spot. Hmmm. Maybe, The President really does want the best people for cabinet positions and maybe he does actually want to work in a bipartisian manner. Oh, but the Republicans will find some way to spin this into a negative. We see your true colors GOP, and we don't like it.
I've had enough with the dems being so sensitive to the GoP's constant whining. Replace Gregg with a Dem. The GoP's closed minded ideology is a danger to progress in all areas and the less of them there are the better.
The Governor is a politician, I would trust a used car salesman before a politician or a lawyers word.
It is only fair to replace with someone from the same party and should be policy for any cabinet position. Qualified peopleregardless of affliation should be urged to serve any President if asked.
Mr. Steele says "bi-partinship is overrated" so let the good citizens of New Hampshire keep their elected Senator.
President Obama do not worry about that whole pesky bi-paritanship thingy.
I am sure a good Democrat can be found to head the Commerce department.
Rebulicans, stop interferring with the State of NH Govenors's duties as perscribed by the State of NH's Constitution.
Get it through your head, your policies have had an adverse effect on this nation and it had adversely affected its citizens. This is why the GOP loss the election and why the citizens of the USA turn their collective backs on you.
Socially and on morals, this country has been going down hill since the late 60's and who was incharge then? The liberal agenda of anything goes and do what you want to are the biggest reason our business, government and American People have lost sense of integrity. Colleges are teaching cheating works and do what you have to get the grades and the elitist jobs from the elitist schools.