Obama Poised to Tap Gregg as Commerce Secretary Amid Senate Calculations

President Obama was on the verge of appointing Republican Sen. Judd Gregg as his commerce secretary, but officials cautioned that the move would not guarantee complete Democratic control of the Senate. The selection of Gregg would be accompanied by the appointment of Bonnie Newman, a veteran of the Reagan White House and Obama's former chief of staff, to fill the remainder of Gregg's term. New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, would name Newman to the seat, ensuring that it would not be held by a Democrat for the full term in 2010.

Key Takeaways:

• The appointment of Judd Gregg as commerce secretary would not grant Democrats complete control of the Senate, as it would be accompanied by the appointment of a Republican or independent to fill the remainder of Gregg's term.
• Bonnie Newman, a veteran of the Reagan White House and Obama's former chief of staff, is the top choice to replace Gregg, with New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch expected to name her to the seat.
• The move would deny Democrats legislative dominance in the Senate, as they would retain 41 votes, enough to bottle up legislation through a filibuster.
• New Hampshire's disputed Senate race remains tied up in court, creating uncertainty around the Senate's composition.
• Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell stated that Gregg's replacement would affiliate with the GOP, denying Democrats total dominance.

Statistics:

• The Senate has 100 members, and 60 votes are required to end debate.
• Democrats have 56 seats, plus two independents who caucus with them, while Republicans have 41 seats.
• The disputed Senate race in Minnesota remains tied up in court.
• The full term in 2010 would begin after the 2010 elections.

Sources:

• The Associated Press, "Obama Poised to Tap Gregg as Commerce Secretary Amid Senate Calculations" by Philip Elliott, relies on sources close to the White House and New Hampshire officials.