From the LA Times:
When Obama's interest in Gregg became known Thursday, it created some Republican angst because Democrats are tantalizingly close to a filibuster-proof majority. They hold 56 seats, and the Senate's two independents caucus with them. Democrat Al Franken holds a slim lead in Minnesota's disputed election, and if it stands, he would become the 59th Democratic vote. Under Senate rules, 60 votes are required to limit debate and hold off a filibuster.
New Hampshire's governor, a Democrat, holds the power to appoint a replacement for Gregg.
Gregg has said he won't take the position unless assured the balance won't change. Even with an assurance from the Governor, I don't know when Gregg's seat is up. [Update: I should have known: 2010.] I'm not sure I like the idea of an appointee rather than an elected incumbent running at at that time.
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6 comments:
I've heard a story on NPR news that Obama made a deal with the Dem governor that the gov must appoint a Republican to avoid this criticism. I'll look for the story...
Update on my comment: According to this NPR blog, it may instead be a situation where Gregg refused to take the appointment without Obama's deal with the governor to appoint a Republican: http://www.npr.org/blogs/politicaljunkie/2009/02/greggtocommerce_complicates_se.html
Still, Obama could have said "forget it". I guess we'll see how it all unfolds. But if the governor appoints a Republican, can we get a little love (or at least credit) for Obama?
Ah. Here it is (Atlantic Monthly): Gov. John Lynch (D-NH) indicated today he'll appoint a Republican to replace Sen. Judd Gregg if Obama nominates the New Hampshire senator to be Secretary of Commerce. In a statement, Lynch said that Gregg made it clear that he would not resign the seat if it would tip the balance in the Senate, and that Lynch believes that the president ought to have the advisers he wants.
"I have had conversations with Senator Gregg, the White House and U.S. Senate leadership. Senator Gregg has said he would not resign his seat in the U.S. Senate if it changed the balance in the Senate. Based on my discussions, it is clear the White House and Senate leadership understand this as well," Lynch said. http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/02/lynch_will_appoint_republican.php
OK, sorry. I didn't get through the last paragraph of Scooter's post before commenting. Nevermind all of the comments above.
Glad you saw that and sorry you went to the trouble. NH is one of those states I’ve followed since high school.
Since 1925, it has had four Democrat governor’s serving a total of 18 years, 10 of which have been since 1997. The state is changing from the plaid-clad, gun-totin’ Rethugs to deep purple if not red.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Governors_of_New_Hampshire
Ugh...governors, not govenrnor's.
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