The Government is merely a servant -- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them. - Mark Twain

Judd Dredd

by West Virginia Rebel

The guy that President Obama was hoping would be a symbol of his outreach program has said thanks but no thanks.

Republican Sen. Judd Gregg abruptly withdrew his nomination as President Barack Obama’s commerce secretary Thursday, telling Politico that he “couldn’t be Judd Gregg” and serve in the Cabinet.

The White House – where some aides were caught off guard by the withdrawal — responded harshly to Gregg’s announcement, portraying Gregg as a fickle candidate.

In a statement, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that Gregg had “reached out” to Obama and sought the Commerce nomination – and that he’d promised that, “despite past disagreements about policies, he would support, embrace, and move forward with the president’s agenda.”

Obama himself told the Springfield, Ill., State Journal Register this afternoon that the Gregg move was “something of a surprise.”

Although one White House aide said he was “blindsided” by the news, another official said the White House knew it was coming Wednesday. Gregg signaled to the White House earlier in week he was having second thoughts and Obama met with him Wednesday at the White House to urge him to stay, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said in an interview.

“Once it became clear after his nomination that Sen. Gregg was not going to be supporting some of President Obama’s key economic priorities, it became necessary for Sen. Gregg and the Obama administration to part ways,” Gibbs said. “We regret that he has had a change of heart”.

In an interview with Politico Thursday afternoon, Gregg said he “should have faced up” to the conflicts he felt earlier.

“I’ve been my own person, and I began to wonder if I could be an effective team player,” the New Hampshire Republican said. “The president deserves someone who can block for his policies. As a practical matter I can contribute to his agenda better—where we agree—as a senator and I hope to do that.”

“The fault lies with me,” Gregg continued. He refused to discuss any conversations he had with Obama, saying, “I may have embarrassed myself but hopefully not him.”

I suppose the Obama administration could comfort itself by knowing that Gregg at least pays his taxes…

Comments

Posted by on 02/12/09 at 08:32 PM from

I suppose the Obama administration could comfort itself by knowing that Gregg at least pays his taxes…

Maybe Gregg just felt left out.

Posted by josparke on 02/12/09 at 09:47 PM from

I think he had the right idea the way this administration is headed… Abandon ship!

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