Another day gone by, the appointment of Senator Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary almost certain, and still no one has said why he is qualified in that particular department. It's as if they don't feel a case needs to be made.
Is it pure politics, then? Put another Republican in the cabinet, hope the Democratic governor of New Hampshire will appoint a Democrat to fill the seat, thus making the 60 vote supermajority to thwart Republican fillibusters?
But Gregg has said that he will take the job only if it does not result in a change in the makeup of the Senate, and the governor is rumored to be ready to appoint a moderate Republican.
But here's the other political consideration. Gregg is a moderate Republican who is said to be an Obama supporter. And putting a Republican at Commerce, as part of the team that deals with the economic crisis, will make it harder for Republicans to demonize Obama's recovery plan.
OK, but that's still politics. Any other qualfications? Gregg has been New Hampshire governor, served in the House and for 16 years in the Senate. He is a respected behind the scenes adviser to Republican leaders, is known as a fiscal conservative, and is former Chairman of the Budget Committee. He has reportedly called Obama's stimulus plan presentation a tour de force and remarked on his comprehensive understanding of the issues.
All in all, maybe a good choice. At least we're no worse off, and no one has suggested that Gregg is not qualified. Even if it's more politics than substantive qualifications, I suppose we could allow Obama one of those in a mostly superb cabinet. After all, it's not like bush's fox-guarding-the-henhouse type of appointment.
Ralph
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Well, finally, thanks to The New York Times, we have some answers about the Gregg appointment. No, he did not endorse Obama in the election, contrary to something I read last week. In fact, he's quoted as having been initially critical of Obama's economic plan. However, he does seem to be impressed by Obama's thinking about the stimulus and his command of the issues.
ReplyDeleteWhat's emerging is a decision, that began soon after Richardson withdrew, to bring in a Republican to give a bipartisan voice in the inner circle of economic policy debates. And was impressed by his early interview with Gregg during the transition period.
Gregg is a fiscl conservative, highly respected by his colleagues in the Senate, and former chair of the Budget committee. He is also highly respected in the corporate world. These are said to be the usual qualifications you want in a Commerce secretary. The article also said the Commerce is often regarded as a reward plum for an important supporter, but in this case Obama's choice is substantive, not a reward.
The article also says that getting the 60th vote was not Obama's original motivation. That emphasis came from others. When it turned out that he will be replaced by a Republican, Obama said that having a more bipartisan cabinet was more important to him than the votes in the Senate.
He should have an easy confirmation hearing -- unless he has a tax problem too. I don't think the Senate would accept a third one.