Always a special thrill for me to be able to write about New Hampshire politics. Seems that word on the Hill is that Republican Senator Judd Gregg is under consideration to become the new administration's Secretary of Commerce. Appointing Gregg to the post would, not coincidentally, give the Democrats a magically filibuster-proof 60 seats in the Senate, as NH Governor John Lynch would appoint a fellow Democrat to the seat. (It would also put an end to the subtle but increasingly bitter fight between NH Representatives Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter over who would challenge Gregg for the seat in 2010). Gregg, a relatively moderate Republican, and has already been working well with the new administration from his senate perch; from their point of view, they see a very credible face to offer the business community from a department that's unlikely to make many waves beyond pushing technoratic policy changes. It's also, god forbid, a bipartisan appointment to a position that has been very difficult to fill. Why would Gregg take the position? Well, he's 61, and has been building a respectable political career in New Hampshire since the eighties as a Representative, Governor and now Senator. But in 2010 he's likely to face the most difficult race of his career as NH's Democratic-leaning trend continues and any number of reputable challengers could face him with strong backing from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Given that Gregg has never been a strong campaigner and that the GOP won't regain a Senate majority -- and thus give Gregg a shot at the Budget Committee Chairmanship -- before 2012 at the earliest, it may be that the prospect of raising a few million dollars and stumping the state in exchange for another six years in the minority doesn't appeal to the patrician Yankee. On the other hand, a nice bipartisan capstone to his career would be a few years spent as Secretary of Commerce to a popular Democratic president. Will this come to fruition? No idea, and no doubt Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is begging Gregg to stay in his current post. It's unclear, though, what kind of inducements -- appreciation? -- McConnell could offer to Gregg, already a ranking member who has never expressed much interest in a leadership role. But if the administration convinces Gregg to come aboard, it would be a hell of a coup for the Democrats.
-- Tim Fernholz
