Comments on The 7-10: Palmer on Politics: Assessing the Judd Gregg Fallout

In retrospect, Obama should have said no thanks wh...

2009-02-17T01:01:49.183-05:00

In retrospect, Obama should have said no thanks when Gregg came asking for a job. I don't have a problem with Obama appointing a Republican commerce secretary in principle. However, naming someone whose record includes having voted to abolish the Commerce Department looked sloppy and dumb — especially so after the abortive Bill Richardson appointment to that post.

I think the Gregg "blueprint" obliging a Democratic governor to pick a Republican to replace a Republican senator going to the Cabinet is a poor idea. If I was a governor in a situation like that, I would politely but firmly serve notice my choice would be based on who could best serve the people of my state in the Senate. Period.

I'm surprised you see Gregg as being conservative but not especially partisan. Have you checked his voting record? If you find conspicuous bipartisanship in it, you're seeing the sieve as being half full.

It's not like there's a dearth of worthwhile prospects. I think Oprah Winfrey could do the job well, and her confirmation hearing would be must-see TV. Robert Reich is another one I'd like to see get the nod. If it just has to be a Republican, how about former Navy and Defense Secretary Bill Cohen?

I think the Gregg withdrawal is worth little as ne...

2009-02-16T19:46:11.517-05:00

I think the Gregg withdrawal is worth little as news. No one ever remembers the SecComm.

I think the Prez has already created a more civil tone that will be useful for many issues, especially foreign policy. DB is correct that where the divide is the Grand Canyon, as it will be with card-check, there will be no bipartisanship. But cordiality greases the art of the possible, and more is possible when the climate is polite.

I am interested in the rhetoric that will come out...

2009-02-15T20:37:48.862-05:00

I am interested in the rhetoric that will come out when Obama pushes a more liberal nominee. Gregg did Obama a favor imo. I also think Obama should move on past this "bipartisanship" dance he is doing with Republicans. First of all, bipartisanship will not work when a fundamental division exists between Republican and Democrat approaches to them problem.

Secondly, I don't think principle has anything to do with the recent stimulus votes. It is all about politics. Hell, Lindsey Graham just said that he is open to the idea of nationalizing our banks. Kind of a bit more extreme than this stimulus bill that he couldn't support on "principle".