President Obama and the Judd Gregg Conspiracy
Word is being circulated that Hew Hampshire’s Republican senator is the leading candidate for Commerce Secretary in Obama’s cabinet now that his last pick, Bill Richardson, had to resign in disgrace. He is expected to be named on Monday.
This pick will be promoted as a show of bipartisanship but is there more to it than that? Al Franken is in the process of stealing the senate seat in Minnesota. Some counties in Minnesota have counted more ballots than there are voters and suddenly Al Franken is the leader. That brings the total Democrat majority in the senate to 59.
What better way to achieve the ultimate goal of 60 senate seats by tabbing a Republican senator from a state with a Democrat governor who will then be able to appoint his replacement? There is no special election in New Hampshire, Governor Lynch will have the choice and speculation is that he will choose Rep. Paul Hodes to replace Judd Gregg. To further the intrigue Paul Hodes is one of only a few politicians who was invited to and will be watching the Superbowl at the White House. Coincidence?
This really would be a brilliant move by the president. (His first) He will look as though he is reaching across the aisle in an attempt to be bipartisan and in the process he will pick up the final seat that he needs to implement what will suddenly become even more of a left wing agenda.
There is speculation in New Hampshire that Senator Gregg will negotiate a deal with the governor to insure his replacement is a Republican, I just don’t see that happening.
Gregg is also being pressured by Republicans not to take the appointment if he is not able to negotiate a deal with the governor.
On a personal note for Senator Gregg he has to weigh his options. He is up for re-election in 2010, if he judges the political climate in New Hampshire will continue to be blue and he decides that he probably will lose the election than I suppose he has nothing to lose by taking this post. Because if he does take the post and he hands the Democrats a 60 vote majority his political career is over. He won’t be forgiven by the party.
However the last polls that came out in New Hampshire showed Judd Gregg well ahead a generic Democrat candidate. In the end Judd Gregg has to do what he feels is best for himself and his family.
As far as the state goes there are two possibilities that could prove to be a positive in this situation. First, state law does call for a special election to fill a house seat, so if Hodes is selected to replace Gregg there is a chance that the state could pick up a Republican representative. That is, if we can actually find a strong candidate.
Secondly, Governor Lynch could be caught Blagojeviching this seat and be removed from office in disgrace. Now that would make it all worthwhile.
If Governor Lynch decided to appear bipartisan he could name John Sununu to replace Judd Gregg. How would that be for irony?
President Obama, leave my senator alone!
America's Watchtower 
While you are correctly calling this as it is, the pressure should be on Gregg to make the choice. Obama is not holding a gun to his head and telling him to take the post.
How much influence would Gregg have on the appointment? Could he say that he wants a republican or an independent that caucauses with the republicans to replace him?
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Why would Senator Judd Gregg WANT TO GET MIXED UP IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS? Obama’s days in the White House are numbered:
The Joint Chiefs of Staff HAVE AN ABSOLUTE CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY to stand behind Guantanamo Military Judge James Pohl UNTIL OBAMA OVERCOMES “RES IPSA LOQUITUR” BY SUPPLYING HIS LONG FORM BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND PROVING HIS ELIGIBILITY TO BE PRESIDENT UNDER ARTICLE 2 OF THE US CONSTITUTION.
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You know after 12 court cases all of which dismissed and SCOTUS let all of them stand, you would think that some people would get a clue.
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Terrant, I don’t know how much say Gregg could possible have in this other than to say that he will not accept the post if Lynch doesn’t appoint a Republican. He would have to take Lynch at his word.
But if Lynch has higher goals in the Democrat party he would be hurting his chances if he were to appoint a Republican.
This whole issue is getting very interesting, I think you know how I hope this plays out.
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I am with you on hoping how this plays out… neither side should have that much power. But then again, with the Reid’s spineless nature, maybe it wouldn’t make a difference.
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Gregg is not really a conservative, hasn’t been for a while. He usually votes with the UN, etc.
But, unless we get a true GOPer as a replacement, he should stay put.
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It sounds like we are not getting a true Republican to replace him. I suppose that isn’t surprising as Lynch is trying to keep both sides happy to keep that approval rating high.
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Wow…you surprised me with this one Mr. Pink Eyes. Maybe Michael Steele will talk to Jud Gregg and help him see the whole picture. 60 would be a nightmare with Obama and his ilk in complete control.
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Having another moderate in congress is not a bad thing. At least from my perspective.
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I like Senator Gregg, I liked Governor Gregg, and I liked Representative Gregg. He will prove himself to be NObama’s best appointment with the only possible exception of Robert Gates. It looks like we will get to see how Bonnie Newman handles herself as a Senator, I hope better than I expect her to.
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It sounds like she will be a middle of the road senator, probably why Lynch would agree to her. I still think that Lynch will run for this seat in 2010 no matter what he is saying and it will be easier for him if the seat is open.
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Judd would have lost in 2010. Any democrat would just have to keep repeating his voting record and it would have been agreat bloodbath to watch. Judd does not like public fights and was not interested in losing an election . He will go out in stlye with every job possible in the public sector and been paid by the public except for his last job in daddy’s law firm. This is a guy who in 1980 ran his first campaing on three major issues. A balanced budget, people like Tip O’neil to long in Washington and pork. He certainly has failed on three of his promises. I know I was with him in1980 and walked away from Judd with a clean slate.
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