Gregg appointment may not lead to filibuster-proof Senate

[janet118]

According to Mitch McConnell on Meet the Press:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he is confident the expected appointment of Republican Senator Judd Gregg (R-NY) as Secretary of Commerce would “have no impact on the balance of power,” on “Face the Nation” this morning.

“Senator Gregg has assured me that if this were to happen it would not change the make up of the Senate,” Mr. McConnell told Bob Schieffer. “Whoever is appointed to replace him would caucus with the Republicans.”

CBS News Political Hotsheet
NOTE: Writer of article states that Jeanne Shaheen is governor of NH. The present governor of NH is Democrat John Lynch. Also, Gregg is from NH, not NY. Who is this writer?

[bluestateguy]

1. Gov. could always lie and then appoint a Democrat anyway

It would be justified for the good of the country.

[Blue Dog Dominion]

5. He won't sacrafice his career.

No one ever trusts a turncoat. Not even his allies.

[Vinca]

2. I'll be calling the Governor's office in the morning. If he ever wants

another Democratic vote in this state, he won't be cutting deals with Gregg.

[nichomachus]

3. It would be a nice way for Lynch to say he doesn't want to be re-elected

And if Obama goes for this, he's not as smart as some people like to think he is.

The only value to naming an idiot like Gregg to Commerce is to get another Dem in the Senate. Otherwise, name a Dem to Commerce.

[Dawgs]

8. Even if he picks a Republican, chances are good that the Dem will win in 2010 election.

But you already knew that, right?

[nichomachus]

9. Yup -- knew that

But Gregg a Republican can do a lot of damage in two years. We need some of this stuff passed now -- we can't wait until 2011 to start repairing the economy and country.

[GoesTo11]

12. Definitely don't give away a cabinet position for nothing.

Even Rod Blagojovic knows that.

[nichomachus]

14. There is a difference

between horse trading and demanding a million bucks in small, unmarked bills.

[notesdev]

4. Won't matter

On any given issue there will be at least one Republican Senator who will break with his/her caucus.

[liberalpragmatist]

6. If the deal we get is a RINO placeholder, it won't be a bad outcome

Gregg would be tougher to beat, but if his replacement is a RINO placeholder, then we get a placeholder who will vote with the Dems on more issues than Gregg would, plus an open seat in 2010 which would favor a progressive like Rep. Paul Hodes.

[nichomachus]

10. Which current Republican is "voting with the Dems on most issues?"

[liberalpragmatist]

11. The names being tossed around for Gregg's replacement...

Include several old Rockefeller Republicans from New Hampshire.

Names like the 86-year-old former Gov. Walter Peterson (a liberal Republican who endorsed Lynch for reelection) or, for example, former state legislator Liz Hager - a liberal Republican who was primary'd by a conservative challenger, describes herself as pro-choice, and "proudly pro-government" and endorsed Obama for president.

As to answer your question, the issue is will they vote to uphold filibusters on big Dem legislative items. Olympia Snowe, for example, does break with the party several times and does so more often than Judd Gregg did. So even a "moderate" Republican - more centrist than Gregg - may be a legislative plus, esp. if they're gone in 2 years anyway.

[nichomachus]

13. The only problem is that the GOP

has their back to the wall. I can imagine that anyone going in -- as a babe in the woods in DC -- will be under tremendous (arm-breaking) pressure to march in lock step. Olympia Snowe has been around for a while, as was Gregg. A newbie will be subjected to all sort of threats and extortion from the GOP to stay in line.

And, if they know they're going to be bounced in 2010 anyway, as you claim, they have more to gain from sucking up to the GOP than to the Dems. That would put them in line for party help if they decide to continue their political career. If the buck the GOP on important issues, those chickens will come home to roost in the future.

Now, if it were someone at the end of their career, it would be a different story -- but anyone with political ambition will stick closely to their party.

[cherish44]

7. This is what pisses me off about Democrats!

They just gotta play nice and be fair...Do you think a Republican governor would appoint a Democrat? NO WAY IN HELL!

[BlooInBloo]

15. Oh noes. Nothing is certain in this world!

:rofl:

[Still Sensible]

16. Then it's simple

If the governor won't appoint a democrat to fill the seat, the appointment shouldn't be offered. I refuse to believe there is not a democrat qualified for that position.

[ThomWV]

17. No Democratic replacement then no fucking Greg at Commerce