Gregg to be stripped of census responsibilities. GOP accuses Emanuel of power grab.

[wyldwolf]

A senior White House official told CQ Politics that the Obama administration intends to strip Commerce Secretary nominee Judd Gregg of census responsibilities "to assuage black and Hispanic leaders who had raised concerns about Gregg's commitment to core functions of the department."

Politico confirms the story, noting "sources on the Hill close to these negotiations say the Census would, more or less by default, would fall under the jurisdiction of Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel."

Republicans, however, see it as an effort by Emanuel "to seize power over the politically delicate issue of counting Americans."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/02/05/white_house_intends_to_circumvent_gregg_on_census.html

[scheming daemons]

1. I don't believe this story is true

I think this is a false rumor, being spread on purpose by GOP operatives in order to jeopardize Gregg's nomination.

I don't believe Obama would cut Gregg off at the knees like that... and certainly not before he's confirmed.



I'm not buying it.

[karynnj]

10. I'm suspicious too

The Census Department is not that small and it seems weird that it would be under the Cheif of Staff. This chart shows they expect to have 22,963 people in the Census Bureau in 2009. http://www.osec.doc.gov/bmi/budget/09BIB/Full-Time%20Equivalent%20Employment.pdf

[BOSSHOG]

2. I thought it was the American People who grabbed power in November

[bluestateguy]

3. They don't appear to grasp that they lost the election

It's Obama's census, and his people will do the counting, bitches.

[karynnj]

11. No, career Census bureau people - who are non-partisan professionals will.

[Terran]

4. Why is the census 'politically delicate'...?

Maybe because it reveals changing demographics trending toward Democratic voting? Or the unthinkable fact that two-adult same-sex households have lots of chilren living in them (who are being denied economic rights because their parents aren also being denied?)

That's pretty much burying your head in the sand, Republicans. Better wake up before you get swept away! (on second thought, sleeeeeeeep, sleeeeeeep now...)

[windbreeze]

7. it would seem to me that the census

lets those in power know where the majority of any ethnicity resides, nationwide...no? yes?....that could be very political...wb

[iamthebandfanman]

8. dunno

has the census ever been correct anyway?

i had a friend who worked taking a census of the local areas and he told me half of the people wouldnt even come to the door to be asked any questions and that others he talked to doing the census were just writing down whatever they wanted in the place of person not coming to the door...

i suppose tho it could give you a general idea of the population tho, so long as more than half of the people actually answered the questions

[w4rma]

5. This is the first thing I've seen Rahm do right if this is true! (nt)

[global1]

6. We're Bending Over Backwards Not To Offend Gregg.....

first by giving him this cabinet post and then by working out an agreement that he will be replaced by a Repug Senator. I think if Gregg feels he is being stripped of the Census for any political reason - that he would then decline the nomination as Sec of Commerce.

[Raine1967]

9. Good... He's Still A repuke.

I don't trust him to give us decent Census counts.

Screw it. Hopefully he will decline... and that will make HIM look like non team player....

[Enrique]

12. i'd rather have Rahm control that function than Gregg n/t