It’s natural for someone to lose a job and then say it really wasn’t important and desirable any way. That’s kind of the sound of Associated Press reporter Charles Babington made in a defensive news analysis on Friday after Sen. Judd Gregg withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary. "Obscure post gives Obama big headache" was the headline. The analysis began:
Quick, who headed the Commerce Department under President George W. Bush?
No disrespect to Carlos M. Gutierrez, but commerce secretary is not one of Washington's more glamorous jobs. It's overshadowed by first-tier Cabinet posts at Justice, State, Defense and Treasury. Scores of senators, House members, Supreme Court justices and White House aides would draw more attention at a Georgetown cocktail party or Dupont Circle restaurant.
This might be true, but it wasn’t the emphasis during the brief Bill Richardson nomination that preceded the Gregg drama. When he was named, a December 3 AP report by Liz Sidoti made it sound like a job for a leader:
President-elect Barack Obama selected New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as his commerce secretary Wednesday, naming a prominent Hispanic to his new Cabinet and calling him a leading "economic diplomat for America" in troubled times.
When news broke of Richardson’s withdrawal on January 4, see the AP pattern in the sympathetic headline that followed: "Richardson's public life imperfect but resilient."
(Hat tip on Babington from Cam Edwards.)
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Liberals all a-twitter.
February 13, 2009 - 23:18 ET by pbthinkerThe liberals are all a-twitter. The think Obama is going to get rid of Rush Limbaugh. Then Obama is going to actually count all the homeless people that they just know are not counted every census, and give the Democrats the votes they need to keep moving.
So, the organization that benefits from the first amendment the most, is willing to sacrifice it to get rid of one of their critics. The group that doesn't want things made political (apparently only by Republican Presidents) is willing to throw 200 years of history, down the tubes, to politicize the census.
Isn't this how the press rolled over in Germany?
Election 2008-God's way of showing us that elections count.
Census
February 14, 2009 - 00:57 ET by slickwillie2001The homeless are already registered to vote by ACORN, probably several times per election including the homeless-and-dead.
Corrupting the census will give the democratics more electoral votes and Congressional seats in liberal states and shift more house seats into the inner-cities of all states. In terms of gaining votes, they will sign up far more new voters from an immigration amnesty than the census.
PB
February 14, 2009 - 01:02 ET by thebutlerdiditwell, since all of their special interests groups, like Acorn, are lined up at the trough for the passing of the porkulus, they are well on their way. As far as the job goes, it is only important when a Democrat holds the position. Republicans are just there for show, to add to that supposed mystique of the Team of Rivals horse hockey. They emasculated Gregg. I think he was much more gracious than I would have been.
All a Democrat needs is the upper-story window of public attention and the chamber pot of rhetoric. How else to explain the rise of Joe Biden? P.J. O' Rourke
Republicans are just there
February 14, 2009 - 06:53 ET by motherbeltRepublicans are just there for show, to add to that supposed mystique of the Team of Rivals horse hockey.
Of course that's true.
And it was a very big deal that Obama was nominating a Republican for....ta-daaaaa!....Commerce Secretary! Bus when Gregg withdraws out of policy disagreement, the position is a yawner.....
Call me a cynic, but I believe the scheme was to get a Republican out of the Senate from the beginning. There was no other Republican other than a sitting Senator he could tap? Oh, and now he gets to say he "tried" to be bi-partisan, but Gregg wouldn't play along.
Thank heaven Gregg woke up in time! And I'm glad he said it was because of policy differences. The only thing that pi$$ed me off was his saying that he embarrassed himself but he hoped not the President.
Just had to throw a little grovel in there.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
no doubt
February 14, 2009 - 09:42 ET by clinging to my guns and my religion"I believe the scheme was to get a Republican out of the Senate from the beginning".
in addition, anything and everything that went wrong would have immediately been blamed on gregg. the word "scapegoat" springs to mind!
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke
I am glad..........
February 14, 2009 - 03:06 ET by old croGregg saw the light and got out of Dodge. What is disconcerting is that he believed that he could make a difference in this administration. He got out before the democrat gov could appoint another RINO senator. He saw the writing on the wall with the census thing, and made the right move. Of course he will be chastised by the left. They will now try to destroy him personally because he didn't fall into "lock-step" with Duh1 or as in this case, say the job was not of any consequence whatever. He deserves admiration for trying to cross the isle, as an honorable man trying to find comity with the opposing party, but finding no honor among thieves, hightailed it out of there as soon as he was able.
Speaking of RINO senators, did you hear what happened?
February 14, 2009 - 18:06 ET by Rush FanPresident Obama to a roomful of invited members of Congress who are supporters of the President: "Now that Senator Judd Gregg has withdrawn his nomination, I need your suggestions as to who I should nominate now."
One of the Senators sitting around the table raises his hand and says: "I would like to be considered for the post as I will probably lose my senate seat in 2010."
President Obama: "I value your terrific support of me and the Democrat party, but you are more valuable to us if you remain in the senate, Senator Specter."
--------------------
“Though those that are betray'd Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor Stands in worse case of woe” ~ William Shakespeare
RF.... That was rich.
February 14, 2009 - 18:26 ET by bigtimerRF....
That was rich. ;-)
Hi bt
February 14, 2009 - 23:38 ET by Rush FanI know you feel the same as I do about Sen. Specter. By the way, a Republican Party official was on FoxNews today discussing the volumes of angry email and phone calls they have received regarding the "stimulus" bill and the role that Specter and the two other RINOs had in its passing.
I hope that the Republican Party finally grows some youknowwhat and takes the initiative to rid the party of these liberals who call themselves Republicans. That also includes defeating RINO John McCain in his next election.
As you know, if we don't distinguish ourselves from the democrats by returning to our conservative roots, we will remain a minority party for many years to come. The House Republicans and those in the Senate who said NO to this Porkulus bill (as Rush calls it) have made a start to this goal.
-------------------------------------------------------
If you think nobody cares
if you're alive, try missing
a couple of car payments.
-------------------------------------------------------
"Obama knows this stimulus won't work. The Democrats know it won't work, too, and yet they want to do it. So why do they want to do it? Well, it must accomplish something, and it does, folks: it buys votes." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Yeah, and if Present Obama
February 14, 2009 - 05:44 ET by RR GOPYeah, and if Present Obama had picked Hillary to be the head White House Groundskeeper, they would have been going on and on about what an important, thankless job it is, but she would bring it all to the forefront and Americans would soon learn not to take for granted the beautiful WH grounds...
Actually, she would have screwed that job up, too busy intriguing and securing her own power. Probably try to expand her authority to the National Mall grounds.
Weasels...
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Present Obama
February 14, 2009 - 06:01 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsPresent Obama
I don't know if I should laugh or cry. It's gonna be a long four years.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
It's been a long four
February 14, 2009 - 06:33 ET by RR GOPIt's been a long four weeks.
How about trying eight years on for size?
Remember Slick Willy? I didn't think there was any way he'd get re-elected after all the stuff that came out even with a doting, Liberal MSM.
But, like the Dems with Gore and Kerry the GOP had a weak candidate in Bob Dole (oh, and once again, the fawning MSM).
However, now we have Bobby Jindal and Sarah Palin and others. Still, I'm beginning to think that Palin's been slammed so hard that she may not be politically viable in the future.
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
If the R's keep up their
February 14, 2009 - 06:53 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsIf the R's keep up their 'go along to get along, let's try to work together' attitude, we will see eight years of Obama. Instead, they should be screaming, SCREAMING.
Trillion dollar bills passed without even being read, secret sessions among democrats with republicans shut out (bipartisan??), daily strategy sessions with the press, tax cheats in the cabinet, etc., etc. all ammo just sitting there.
The RNC should push every minute, every day with what little press they get: FRAUD, CORRUPTION, INEPTITUDE, MISMANAGEMENT, HURTING THE LITTLE GUY, UNAMERICAN. Add to that demands for criminal democrats to RESIGN. It's all out there, no need to lie or even exaggerate.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
The RNC should raise money
February 14, 2009 - 13:40 ET by RR GOPThe RNC should raise money and actively campaign against RINOs. Wouldn't life then be a Jane Fonda for them then.
Force them to switch parties. This bull of, "Well, they may lean left but we really need Repubs in Congress" just doesn't fly anymore...if ever actually.
Mr. Steele...you listening?
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
The go along with the get along
February 15, 2009 - 00:00 ET by merlin61The Dims were running Congressional investigations constantly against the Bush
Admin. the GOP needs to start screaming
INVESTIGATION against these tax dodging
morons. Lets get Barney Frank and Chris Dodd
as the first two and then get rid of tax evader
Geithner.
Well it's definately a new
February 15, 2009 - 00:14 ET by Clear thinkerWell it's definately a new day for me. Your comment of "the go along with the get along" has brought on the following with me... "the go along, to get along, way of doing business, is officially over in my house"
Irony x 2
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Present Obama That
February 14, 2009 - 06:59 ET by motherbeltPresent Obama
That really is a hoot!
If you really listen to them,, for years the media have mumbled Present of the United States (along with Constootion and So-security).
I don't think they realize how completely appropriate the former is now.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Don't worry about Hillary. She is already being squeezed out.
February 14, 2009 - 18:59 ET by thebutlerdiditDick Morris had a great column about this very topic this week. I wonder if her big time supporters are aware just how little she will be in charge of? Obama gave her a title, and is taking away the job, bit by bit.
All a Democrat needs is the upper-story window of public attention and the chamber pot of rhetoric. How else to explain the rise of Joe Biden? P.J. O' Rourke
He's not only taking away
February 14, 2009 - 21:59 ET by motherbeltHe's not only taking away most of her job, but giving the influence to people in his "inner circle".....Samantha Powers and Susan Rice, (NSC and UN ambassador, respectively). SoS could end up being merely a ceremonial position.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
The question is..
February 14, 2009 - 22:04 ET by Sergeant ROCK.. how much longer will she put up with that? Unless she's pimpin' out her interns(?), what good will holding this post do?
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
Re Hillary
February 14, 2009 - 22:13 ET by slickwillie2001Read Morris as well. It appears that Obammy might be setting up Constitutional cabinet positions (that answer to Congress in some sense) as empty offices stripped of any real responsibilities, with the real power concentrated in the White House and his dirty Chicago machine cronies. It's happening to Biden as well. He has very few Constitutional duties, and Obammy appears unlikely to give him anything. Biden will be golfing for the next four years.
Will the old media call this an 'Imperial Presidency' as they did President George W. Bush's? Will they voice their concern over the concentration of power in the Executive Branch? Will Princess Nan and Dingy Harry catch on, and will they care?
slick... I couldn't agree
February 14, 2009 - 22:30 ET by bigtimerslick...
I couldn't agree more....
My answer to your 3 questions in one word is 'NO' to all of them.
Don't They Know the Dep't of Commerce Controls the Weather?
February 14, 2009 - 07:19 ET by kch50428NOAA - and the National Weather Service are units of the Department of Commerce...control Commerce - control the weather. :)
Gregg will be glad he abandoned ship...
February 14, 2009 - 08:20 ET by Sasquatchwhen hurricane season gets here. Since NOAA and the NWS are part of the Commerce Department, Gregg would have been the ideal fall guy for the next Cat-5 that flattens the U.S. coast.
After all, they have to blame Republicans for that sort of thing, right?
The untruthful 'reporting'
February 14, 2009 - 10:14 ET by TN MomThe untruthful 'reporting' at AP gives me a big headache! A better Headline would be: Constant Obama DRAMA Stalls New Administration.
AP has lost all credibility.
I've got to say, that
February 14, 2009 - 13:31 ET by Chris NormanI've got to say, that Gregg's nomination withdrawal comments were the usual disappointingly tame and too gentlemanly words that come from most GOP politicians. I heard Gregg described as "plain spoken" but he stammered and chuckled and "aw shucks-ed" his way through the talk, leaving the casual listener to wonder just what his reasons were. If he was truly "plain spoken" he would have left no doubt about his disgreements with the spendulous bill and the census. As it was, he left his reasons open to interpretation by the few in the MSM who reported on it...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Chris... You saved me a
February 14, 2009 - 13:48 ET by bigtimerChris...
You saved me a lot of typing.
My sentiments are the same.
I don't care how smart some think Gregg is, he has disappointed me in the past with his views on drilling and global warming issues like Cap and Trade for example...I've listened to him on the floor for years, I like him okay, but he isn't one of my favorites...I am glad he stepped out of the O mess, no matter how he did it.
bt, This is why
February 14, 2009 - 14:00 ET by Chris Normanbt,
This is why Republicans cannot get ahead. Obama's bill and the way it was rammed through was offensive and the census grab and it's politicization are indefensible, but there was Gregg up there after joking around saying it was all "his fault". He could have made a ringing denunciation of the Administration but, instead, made it into a "this was all a misunderstanding" situation. Typical. What do they do to these people when they get to DC - stuff rocks in their mouths - and heads?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Hey Chris... You know I
February 14, 2009 - 14:14 ET by bigtimerHey Chris...
You know I agree with you all the way here.
I get sick of the polite rhetoric...it is past old.
For heavens sake....speak the hell up, speak your mind with conviction, give us someone to look up to for a change, this same old garbage proves nothing, all the repubs do is keep asking to be stabbed again and again...oh it HURTS SO GOOD!
I agree that Gregg's
February 14, 2009 - 15:11 ET by stratmanI agree that Gregg's explanation was vague and open to (mis)interpretation.
What I find remarkable is that this was another Obama Administration blunder of moderate degree. The administration should never had leaked that they were going to take over the Census until AFTER Gregg was out of the Senate and safely tucked into his corner.
Maybe Gregg will now be a thorn in the paw of lyin' Obama after the treatment he's received. this would be blunder number two from the gift that keeps on giving - # three would be the negative image this leaves with American's - Obama's done lost himself another one via incompetent screening and bad choices!
As another example of the incompetence, lack of control and out and out hubris by Obama and his capos, our 44th president, a Chicago-bred, 'newly-made' boss of all bosses, is showing the world he is a petty, self indulgent, dictatorial naieve brat.
Keep it up Obama. The Islamofascists are planning their next attack to specifically take advantage of and humiliate your unobservant, arrogant, posturing ego and ignorrance.
strat... Boy, have you
February 14, 2009 - 15:18 ET by bigtimerstrat...
Boy, have you ever got that right...all of it!
Obammy's hand was forced
February 14, 2009 - 16:17 ET by slickwillie2001I don't think Obammy could wait for Gregg to be settled into Commerce; the idiots in the Congressional Black Caucus were hollering at him about what they perceive as problems with the census being under Gregg. It's not like the CBC to think strategically beyond a day or two. Even Obammy knows they are a bunch of idiots, but he must pay tribute to them like all others.
Hi slick... Oh yeah, with
February 14, 2009 - 16:23 ET by bigtimerHi slick...
Oh yeah, with good old Marxist Barbara Lee leading the way doing the shouting the loudest....of course Sheila Jackson Lee wasn't far behind...
Nevertheless, this is a very serious issue now in the Senate, and the House, but this will be brought up again, soon according to what I heard from the floor this week on our side of the aisle.
At least the cat is out of the bag....and now matter how it got out...it isn't going to be stuffed back in.
If the CBC forced Obama's
February 14, 2009 - 16:47 ET by stratmanIf the CBC forced Obama's hand, and that is a good observation, it still points out the folly of the Obama Administration - not only did they not do their homework in selecting Gregg because of his history concerning the Census, they also cowtowed to the CBC and made a Constitutional blunder ever more monumental because of Obama's supposed constitutional scholoarship!
Amazing that Obama couldn't corral the CBC to backoff for a few more days until Gregg was secured away. Obama doesn't even have the ability to strongarm the head of Catepillar let alone the friendlies at the CBC! Weak, weak, weak. And our enemies continue to take notice.
Obama once again proving his shortsighted dictatorial mindset - get Gregg out of the Senate to make it fillibuster proof and score a PR coup in having a "bipartisan" administration - and gets Obama&Co into more dogpoo.
There really is no bad way to spin this if you are a Republican/Conservative willing to use these blunders to out this less than average, affirmative action Prez and his administration.
What Obama is doing/not doing should make it a cakewalk for Repubs in 2010. We shall see who has the smarts and spine to do what needs to be done.
Hammer Obama today, hammer him tomorrow, and keep hammering him everyday until the next elections. Do not let up on pointing out and reminding the public about the soft tyrrany, blundering and buffonery of Obama and his underlings.
Next up for Commerce Sec is
February 14, 2009 - 17:08 ET by TN MomNext up for Commerce Sec is Harold Ford, Jr from Tennessee. Not sure if he pays his taxes, but as a former Congressman he was a member of CBC. There may be an issue with his being employed by Merrell Lynch, you know, executive bonus payments, if he did receive any before/during Tarp bailout. Check out his family: Harold Ford (dad and former TN Senator) Uncle John Ford (former TN Senate) and Auntie Ophelia Ford (current TN Senator). Wow! And you thought Illinois was the only corrupt State! Anyway, I'm sure it's nothing The Most Ethical White House Ever couldn't uh, spin.