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One of the upsides to nominating Judd Gregg for Treasury, we were told, was that it would mean another vote for Obama's stimulus package in the Senate. Gregg couldn't very well oppose the administration's central initiative than ascend to heads its Department of Commerce. But Gregg -- who'd already demonstrated his respect for the administration's agenda by insisting he be replaced by another Republican -- found a different solution: He's recusing himself from the vote. This outcome is no better than a "no" vote. Brian Beutler explains:
A cloture vote only succeeds if at least three-fifths of all duly elected and serving members of the Senate vote ‘yes’. With Gregg still seated, the Democrats need 60 votes to end debate, even if he votes ‘present’. If all caucus members vote yes, they have 58. They need two. Gregg could have been one of those two. But of course, Gregg has nothing but the utmost respect his soon-to-be boss–who has, of course, committed to changing Washington–and to vote the way Obama wants him to would appear unseemly.Daschle withdraws his nomination. Gregg won't vote for stimulus. Whatever the optical benefits of the heightened sense of propriety Obama is bringing to Washington, it doesn't seem to be of much use in passing an agenda.
