No More GOP Cabinet Choices - Please

by Deacon Blues

Judd Gregg, February 3rd:

"This is not a time when we should stand in our ideological corners and shout at each other. This is a time to govern and govern well. It was my obligation to say yes."

Judd Gregg, today:

"(I)t has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the census there are irresolvable conflicts for me. Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy."

President Obama, the next time you want to name a Republican to your cabinet in a futile and naive attempt at bipartisanship with those who don't believe in it, make sure the Republican you name is mentally healthy and isn't off his medications. Judd Gregg withdrew today as Commerce Secretary, after he offered himself to Obama for the job knowing what was in the stimulus bill. Now, seemingly under intense right-wing pressure to get out, Gregg says he has too many differences with Obama to be in his cabinet, even though the package is not much different than the one in place when he came aboard, pledging bipartisanship.

(Of course there could be other reasons why Gregg wanted out suddenly.)

Gregg does this at a time when support for the package is increasing, meaning that he and the rest of the Senate GOP conservatives can go in the corner and play with each other while they make themselves irrelevant over the next two years. Since Gregg has indicated he won't run again in 2010, all I can ask is that he go shut up and take his medications, because no one gives a sh*t about what he thinks for the remainder of his public life.

Mr. President, for God's sake, name a solid pick immediately, leave these bastards at the side of the road, and move on with people who are committed to change and progress. You don't owe the GOP a damn thing, and you (unlike your predecessor) in fact have a mandate. Use it.

Update: Obama gets his CIA director confirmed late today as well.