with the Census Bureau.

I doubt Sen. Gregg would be willing to accept unless there was some deal that Gov. Lynch had to appoint a Republican.

Actually, I've heard some commentary that perhaps the post should just be abolished altogether. What better for a small government Senator than being able to help dismantle a do-nothing privilege cabinet position?

Would you rather have an active progressive making sure the Commerce department is working or a 60 seat Democratic majority in the Senate?

Thanks for making this point.  To call the Dept. of Commerce "substance free" tells me someone needed to learn what areas are part of Commerce*:

Patent and Trademark Office
NOAA
Census Bureau
National Institute of Standards & Technology - v. important to scientists
International Trade Assn.

...and more.  As much as I want a 60th Dem. senator I want to be sure every Cabinet secretary is going to have a positive impact on their portfolio.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics is not part of Commerce, it's part of the Dept. of Labor, btw. I use their stuff all the time.

Please...  Judd Gregg is GOPer who has overstayed his welcome and is probably heading to defeat in his next re-election.    If he resigned over a policy disagreement, it wouldn't touch Obama at all.   You overestimate most of the secretary positions and their effect on the average voter.   There are very few that have any real impact (State, Defense, Treasury and AG.. maybe) on votes and even then I can't remember the last one that truly damaged a President...   Maybe Gonzo, but ONLY because Bush was on the ropes anyway... If Rummy can't get Bush impeached or losing re-election, its doubtful any of Obama's cabinet can... with the lone exception of Hillary.

It's mostly a patronage machine, sort of what the postmaster general used to be.  I dare you to name a Clinton Commerce Secretary from memory.

As for resigning in protest, Obama has already laid out the bulk of his agenda.  If Gregg disagrees over the stimulus or universal health care or cap and trade, he'd have absolutely no credibility.  And after handing the Dems a filibuster-proof majority (which is pretty invaluable, frankly), he'd have no support from the right wing noise machine.

If Obama somehow manages to pull this off, shit, we get everything.  We can do whatever the hell we want for the next four years, at least.

Besides, Snowe is more moderate than Gregg, and likely to retire next election.  Better to keep her in the Senate.

I have no problem using the law to my advantage, even if I disagree with the law.  Why should I?  It's the law.

Except that Feingold's amendment isn't law yet.  Until it is, then we follow the laws of the state... however, I have no fear of a NH special election... so appointment or special... BRING IT ON!

Plausible... but I don't like it...   I could do independent caucusing with Dems, but not a GOPer.   No way to exert pressures for loyalty.

No.

We here in the Granite State thinks he is just fine.

What do we have to gain?

Cloture on EFCA. Backed by the most conservative Dems and shunned by the most liberal R's (except Specter, maybe)

SO, do you want your union or not?

Lynich is not a DINO. There are some NH Demcorats who don't like him because he opposes a state income tax. Unfortunately, they make tax policy a litmus test for what it means to be a Democrat. Fortunately, there are only a couple of thousand of them in the state, which is why John Lynch gets re-elected with 70% of the vote, including about 98% of the Democrats.