WASHINGTON (CNN) – Judd Gregg made clear Thursday he would rather serve in the Senate than in the Obama administration, but the New Hampshire Republican said he “probably” will not seek a fourth term next year.
“Will I run? Probably not,” Gregg said at a press conference after withdrawing from the Commerce post. Gregg also told the New Hampshire Union-Leader earlier in the day that he does not intend to seek re-election.
If that’s true, it likely comes as good news to New Hampshire Rep. Paul Hodes, the Democratic congressman who emerged as a frontrunner for the seat after Gregg first decided to take the Commerce job. Hodes announced his intention to run for the Senate seat last week.
But if Gregg has a change of heart and decides to run again in 2010, Hodes has a tougher road ahead. According to an American Research Group poll released in late December, Gregg held a 47-40 lead in a hypothetical match-up with the congressman.
Even before Gregg said Thursday he won’t run again - but after he turned down the president - Hodes made it clear he still wants the seat.
“I will be a candidate for the United State Senate in 2010,” Hodes said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “I look forward to working every day to stand up for New Hampshire as we come together to confront the economic crisis facing our nation.”
Hodes would still need to secure the Democratic nomination, and may face a primary challenge from Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, who is mulling her own bid.
From CNN Politics
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Another Republican NOT WILLING to work with ANY administration, typicall of these morons!!
Obama will show the world how good of a man he is
We will never know the real reason, but I guess we should thank him for getting out now instead of later. I'm sure our President Obama will find someone who really wants to be on his team and believes in the direction he would like to take our country.
Sounds like Gregg has got the message from his constituents. He won't run in 2010 because he knows fully well, he'd lose.
And even if he did run and win, I don't think he wants to be in Rush's party any longer.
I hope he doesn't. Another automatic chair to the democrats.
Gregg just doesn't have the nut to fight other GOP's. What a coward!
Can you say "F-L-A-K-E"
He probably owe taxes.
Serve "the people" or the GOP coffers..... he wants the later..... Republicans need to start taking a closer look at themselves..... Do they truely love America?
Good & good bye, good luck Judd Gregg. Obama, get a person who you can trust & rely on.
It's in his best interest to not run. Republicans have become obstrucionist to any change. They even attack their own. The vote for their party and not the people they represent.
This will teach Obama how trustworthy Republicans are!
Obama doesn't need this jelly-back. I'm glad he is getting out. He thinks he is hurting Obama, but he is actually doing him a favor.
The timing of his nomination was not on his side. He was late to be confirmed and support the democratic agenda at the same time. It is a gambling situation on his part which he chose to stay safe for him. He also negotiated his seat if confirmed as sec. of commerce to be for his republican colleague and was not a good sign for the Obama administration. He was not dedicated for the peolpe just to sum it up. Good luck to him....
Glad to see this "spineless" creature go...
If he won't seek re-election in 2010 I wonder what he's hiding from the approval committee? Is he afraid of some of his fellow GOP members? Since Senator Gregg isn't strong enough mentally to handle the challenge then it's a good thing he withdrew.
Republicans will be Republicans- White, Red, Rich and Enemy of Hardworking needy people-Hence a bad fit to the rest of the world.
Gregg would rather be part of the problem than part of the solution.
Yawn.. I hope your crazy Mob Mentallity clears up soon... nothing like a bunch of people running the US they why we ran our state (california...i.e. nothing but Dems and broke people)
These republicans should be ashamed of themselves. The country is is dire straights now, largely because of them, now, rather them help, they choose to cut and run. Shame on them. As a life long republican ( I did vote for Obama) I can't wait for the next election to throw them all out!!
Are you sure he doesn't have tax problems? Not running for reelection after giving up the Cabinet position seems fishy. What else is going on with him?
Good. New Hampshire deserves better. Maybe this time they'll wise up and elect a Democrat!
Senator Obama, you gave the Repubs a chance. They did everything but knife you in the back. It's time to let them stew in their own juices for a while.
"THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE PARTY OF NOs!!"
You do realize that that is entirely prospective based and lacks any real substance?
They are also the party pro-family values, pro-the protection of the second amendment, ect
RopoloWyo February 12th, 2009 7:15 pm ET
Can you say "F-L-A-K-E"
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"RopoloWyo," whatever THAT stupid "handle" means (but wait - it's a LIberal wacko) - I can say HERO to Gregg! And I say it LOUD AND CLEAR! AMERICAN HERO - AMERICAN HERO - AMERICAN HERO - AMERICAN HERO!
I think someone high in the Republican party threatened Judd Gregg. They must have had something on him...
After bowing to pressure from his own party to NOT work with the Obama administration as Sec of Commerce, it seems a savvy move to decide to bow out of politics when his term is up.
How can we know with his acceptance and withdrawal of the the nomination don't you think he is a flip flopper!