Guest eastburbguy Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 OMG!! It could be the most brilliant political maneuver of the Century, if it works. Consider this: New Hampshire has turned from a red state to a very blue state, proof being how badly Jean Shaheen spanked now former Republican Senator John Sununu in November. Judd Gregg is the other unlucky NH Republican Senator, and he has a target the size of a semi painted on his back for '10 - he's virtually certain to be picked off. So today the Senate partisan split is 58 Dems (and friends) and 41 Repubs. If Al Franken wins the endless recount here in Lake Wobegon, that makes it 59 - 41. So, Obama appoints Gregg as Commerce Secretary, creating a vacancy which the NH Dem Gov Lynch would fill. Bingo. The Senate becomes 60 - 40 and filibuster-proof. Say bye-bye to the smarmy Mitch McConnell's bullshit. < on a bended knee > PLEASE GOD!!!!!!!!! Actually, it's far from a done deal. The Repubs are screaming bloody murder, demanding that Gregg refrain from helping the Dems to 60 votes, or at least that he negotiate with Lynch for a Repub to replace him. Gregg's in a tough spot. If he stays put he's toast in '10. If he jumps to Commerce he stays viable for however long but he severs his ties to the Repubs. Quote
