February 13, 2009

Gregg Aftermath II

Previous Gregg analysis - impact on Gregg.

Senator Gregg's decision to step down as nominee for the Commerce Secretary position affects not only himself, but also President Obama and the Republican Turncoat 3.

What does it do for President Obama? Or more precisely to President Obama? A couple of things.

Firstly the Obama administration has to be shaking it's head at the number of mis-steps it's taken in the appointment process and the Gregg withdrawal, while not tax-cheat related like some of the others, is still another mark on the administration's appointment record. After issues with Richardson, Solis and Daschle (among others, including Geithner), and now the recanting of Gregg, the grading on the Obama selection/vetting/nominee process can at best be considered a D-. That diminishes his messianic image. If he's so brilliant, why all the false starts?

Secondly, President Obama is using up a lot of his political capital in pushing the stimulus bill. This expends another few cents of that political capital. Now while according to Gallup, Obama still has a lot left, others including Rasmussen are showing differently (at least on the stimulus). I'm sure he still has a lot of capital left, but it's starting to fall away in little bits, and we haven't reached the 100 day mark yet.

Thirdly it also shines a light on the politicking behind the Obama administration trying to co-opt the census process for political purposes. If nothing else, Gregg's departure helps de-brand Obama in the squeaky clean department. True, to the 'true believers' it won't matter one iota, but to moderates who swung towards Obama in the election, they might have through all of these impacts be swung back a little towards the red side of the spectrum.

Fourthly, the administration is looking a little vindictive and petty. From Townhall, According to Gregg he accepted an offer;

"The president asked me to do it," he said of the job offer. "I said, yes. That was my mistake."

Obama offered a somewhat different account from Gregg.

"It comes as something of a surprise, because the truth, you know, Mr. Gregg approached us with interest and seemed enthusiastic," Obama said in an interview with the Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register.

Hmmm. Who is telling the truth? My guess is the President is in full spin mode. According to the Boston Globe, the offer came from the President. Isn't it kind of hard to back-track now?

According to 538, the White House is steamed by the resignation (slight language alert);
Here is the statement the White House just put out on kicking Judd Gregg to the
curb, in full:

“Senator Gregg reached out to the President and offered his name for Secretary of Commerce. He was very clear throughout the interviewing process that despite past disagreements about policies, he would support, embrace, and move forward with the President’s agenda. Once it became clear after his nomination that Senator Gregg was not going to be supporting some of President Obama’s key economic priorities, it became necessary for Senator Gregg and the Obama administration to part ways. We regret that he has had a change of heart”.

Translation: Gregg asked us for the gig and lied to us, so eff him, this is his fault.As one longtime White House correspondent just told me, "I have never seen a White House statement that kicks someone in the balls that hard before."

Well now. That looks classy, even without the translation, after the Gregg comment, why would you contradict someone whom you previously stated was a great man for the post?



And what does it do for your image let alone credibility when you now try to knock him down after he slags your stinkulus bill? Nothing but hurts it, that's what. All the Republicans need to do, is have Gregg knock the stimulus bill and when Obama responds - play the above video in every major market. Another gift horse for Republicans and this time, unlike the Gregg nomination, it's not a Trojan Horse.

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