The real reason Sen. Judd Gregg withdrew?

by: Clem Guttata

Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 06:59:30 AM EST

A few weeks ago on a Friday, Todd Boulanger pleaded guilty for his role in the ongoing Abramoff corruption scandal. He was a key member of Team Abramoff and before that he worked for former NH Senator Bob Smith (one of Jack's go-to Senators).  Boulanger's plea identified a Legislative Director for a US Senator as "Staffer F" and laid out the many favors Team Abramoff did for this staffer and some of the deeds done in return.

Over that weekend, a network of scandal researchers had concluded that "Staffer F" was Kevin Koonce and that the Senator was Judd Gregg. The rumor was that Gregg would soon be nominated to be President Obama's Commerce Secretary. It was too late for Gregg's link to scandal to filter up and stop it. The day after Gregg was nominated; the Koonce story broke in the AP, Washington Post, NYTs and elsewhere.

As dengre says, "Judd Gregg has a Jack Abramoff problem."

Thankfully, he did not make it into Pres. Obama's cabinet.

Now, can we just go ahead and nominate a Democrat for the post? Preferably one who won't be giving up an excellent 2010 electoral prospect?

Update from Carnacki: I'm inclined to agree with Andrew Sullivan

This issue was championed by Republicans for the usual "the-darkies-are-taking-over!" reasons. And Gregg's broad support for the kind of stimulus bill Obama has just got through the conference is a matter of public record. So the real reason for Gregg's departure is that he simply couldn't handle the backlash from his own party for providing bipartisan cover for Obamanomics. I guess they believe that assaulting the new president as he tries to reach out is their ticket for future relevance.

The reason I'm more inclined to think Gregg did it to bow out due to Republican partisan politics is his timing. If he wanted a low key withdrawal, he would have done it today - and not held a press conference at the same time as a major address by President Obama.

Here's the view of a Dem staffer

It's hard not to think that Gregg's withdrawal, with the grumbling about the census and the stimulus, was not timed to cause the most damage possible to the Obama administration. Releasing the statement just as Obama took the stage in Peoria was clearly designed to undermine the President's event. The fact he scheduled a presser only seems to confirm it. The classy exit would have been to wait til tomorrow afternoon to quietly bow out. Basically Gregg decided not just to politely decline, but rather to blow shit up and burn the bridge behind him. Do not think this portends good things for the wider political climate.

Gregg's repeated references to him being his "own man" made me think he was protesting too much.