Obama ally OK with deal on Gregg seat

[ProSense]

Obama ally OK with deal on Gregg seat

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor February 2, 2009 01:13 PM

Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, a key early supporter of President Obama and someone who has his ear, said today that she wouldn't mind if New Hampshire's Democratic governor appointed a Republican to replace Senator Judd Gregg if Obama nominates him for commerce secretary.

Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, talked Sunday of such a deal with Governor John Lynch that would allow Gregg to take the post -- but not give Democrats a potentially filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

McCaskill said on MSNBC that she is more interested in forming a bipartisan majority for important issues and would welcome a moderate Republican who would vote "policy, not party."

Of Gregg, she said, "he's very strong, and a very smart guy and can be helpful to the president." The White House could announce the Commerce pick as soon as today.

McCaskill and Obama have close ties and share political instincts. Last week, the day after the president scolded Wall Street firms for handing out more than $18 billion in bonuses, McCaskill introduced a bill to rein in the bonuses.

Too bad Gregg doesn't have any tax problems.

[ginnyinWI]

1. it's only a matter of waiting for two years.

Gregg's seat will have the new repub, who will have to run for re-election in just two years. It will be a lot easier for a Dem to win that seat then than if they had to run against Gregg. Obama, once again, is taking the long view.

[TheWraith]

3. I think part of the deal is that she's not running for reelection.

A caretaker job. Though I could be wrong.

[AtomicKitten]

2. The wingnuts would have pounced on this opportunity if roles were reversed.

It's rather frustrating not being as evil and conniving as they are.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. More frustrating, perhaps.

The sleeping's a lot easier though.

[ClarkUSA]

7. "It's rather frustrating not being as evil and conniving as they are."

lol! That's why we chose Obama early on, isn't it? If we had wanted evil and conniving... well, there were plenty of them running
last year. Good thing, America eventually agreed with us bigtime.

[AtomicKitten]

8. I think I've reached my maximum BS from the GOP quota for the day.

After eight years of their bullshit, I don't want to hear what's coming out of their pie holes. They have nothing constructive to offer.

No worries. I will regroup with a moment of zen.

[ClarkUSA]

11. I sympathize and understand.

Just recall President Obama flicking dirt off his shoulder. If he can, we can.

Yes. We. Can.

:hug:

[kstewart33]

4. Newman, the likely interim Senator, is a moderate.

She also supported Lynch, the Democratic governor of New Hampshire, when he ran for governor.

She is considerably more moderate than Gregg was.

[elocs]

5. Yes, but the most important point should be that Obama did not consult with DU

before making this or any other decision.

[Kaleva]

9. LOL!

[trof]

10. The bastid.

;-)