YOUR COMMENTS

How stupid do you think we are, Governor? This is pay-to-play all over again. Lynch agrees to hand over the senate seat to a republican who vows not to run, whose seniority and reputation makes her not a threat even if she did run. This gets Gregg out of the way so that Lynch can run for the senate seat with out competition in 2010. None of it is in the best interest of the people of New Hampshire and it marginalizes the competition from other Democratic contenders for the senate seat. Shame on you Governor Lynch! You are as transparent as Blagoyevich!
- Judith Evelyn, Dover, NH

How funny is this: whoever the Republican is that Lynch puts in Judd's seat should run in 2010.......after all former Governor Benson put Lynch on the board of UNH with the promise that Lynch would not run against Benson....Lynch lied through his teeth and ran against Benson. Got to love these people.
- Jay Collins, Laconia

Brian - thanks for the info. Sununu saw the housing meltdown causing by the Dem-sponsired subprime mortgages coming, tried to stop it, and Obama blocked him.

Sununu gets voted out and Obama is elected President. That's justice for you.
- Tom, Campton

I think Judd Gregg will make a good Commerce Secretary. I'm a libertarian who usually votes republican and don't want Judd to go, however, he can read the tea leaves and see the demos are taking over the state. In a perfect world there's no way Sunnunu should have lost to Shaheen the lying machine and all her Hollywood donations. Still, if I were Lynch, I'd appoint a dem. Elections mean something. Maybe Ferris Cullen and the republicans should have threw a few bucks Colburn's way when he was running for Governor instead of providing him little to nothing.
- Jack Langley, Hollis NH

What is truly pathetic is that the responders here, like the UL, only really care about what's best for the country when it also happens to be what's best for Republicans. You don't really care if Gregg is the best choice for a very important position during an incredibly fragile time in American history, you only care that it may impact the party that was roundly defeated in the last 2 elections.

It's this myopic, "me-first" mentality that put the GOP in the mess it's in.
- Jason, Londonderry

Pray tell, why is it that the Republicans are so concerned about fairness all of a sudden. When King Bush was in charge, they had no complaints about making sure that any Federal Judge was of the Republican mindset, no matter what mindsets the judges they replaced were. And ALL republican governors had to replace any empty seat with a REPUBLICAN. What's the deal?
- Leon, Vicksburg, MS

Look at the Republican spin machine at work here. You lost the election - across the board. It was a complete purge of the Republican party here in NH. And you still don't get it.

What a waste appointing a Republican to this seat. To the victors go the spoils. Find us a Ted Kennedy to fill that seat for life.
- Joe, Mont Vernon

John E. Sununu, by almost everyone's account on both sides got swept by the anti-GOP tide this past election. He was considered a rising star in the Senante, one who commanded respect from both sides. For those that don't recognize that and scortch him b/c he returns 10% of letters or that he is "R" and not "D" then I can't help you. For the same reasons I vote Lynch...I voted Sununu. Best we have in these times, regardless of party. Paul Hodes is about as much of a limp suit as Craig Benson was.

I applaud Gov. Lynch for not giving into political pressure and giving one political party free license to roam. Not good for anyone...and not what the Founding Fathers envisioned. Liberal Democrats will scorn him, but the rest of us should stand-up and applaud no matter what party we are on. Debates in all level of gov't is a healthy thing.
- Ben, Concord, NH

Anyone who thinks for a heartbeat that John E. Sununu deserves or has a chance to be appointed needs to find a place back in reality. Lynch is a Democrat with no impetus whatsoever to appoint Sununu, who he specifically campaigned against this past fall. Further, Sununu lost, and it wasn't close. New Hampshire rejected John E. Sununu decisively a few months ago. If this was a Minnesota situation, where the race was still in a court battle and appointing one contender to the open seat would let the state get its full representation, then it might be a remote possibility. Otherwise, not a chance.
- Peter, Canterbury

Sununu by virtue of the fact that the voters of NH threw him out in Nov. should not be an option. If the Repubs are smart they will work with Lynch to appoint a fresh face, start reinventing their party and help the country move forward.
- MIke, Whitefield

I'm glad that Nicholl from Manchester actually took the time to look at our former Senator's record. This guy saw the mortgage crisis coming 3 years before it happened, created a bipartisan committee to present his case to the Senate, and now he's unemployed because he's a Republican.

Mr. Sununu spoke at my office during the campaign and the thing I was most impressed with is that he takes responsibilty for his record. He cited several times when he was WRONG and cited what he would do differently. He also did this on the TV debates, while Jeanne Shaheen kept saying "YOU ARE GEORGE BUSH!!!" and won the election.

The Dems won't even acknowledge the facts, they just acknowledge his party affiliation.
- Brian, Concord

If Gregg goes with this, and Newman is named, he will be the Quisling of the NH GOP (for the uneducated, that means traitor/collaborator). Paul Hodes is hungry for the seat, and would never be able to oust Gregg without GREAT effort and expense. Newman is an unknown and uninspiring political hack who could be beaten by the kid at the MacDonald's drive-thru window. This deal would guarentee that the democrats will take the seat easily and cheaply in 2010. That savings will translate in more seats lost in the legislature, state senate and executive council. Also, cabinet secretaries serve at the pleasure of the President --Obama could demand Gregg's resignation after only a month!
- Mark K., Manchester

DINO..never heard of that one before. The only people like to be upset with the Governor's choice of Bonnie Newman will be other democrats. Judd Gregg hung in much longer than he wanted to. I am sure Bush would have tapped him for the Cabinet but he stuck around to keep the seat in GOP hands.

As a former dem, I can assure you , choice positions go to well connected GOP allies of democratic office holders and on occassion well connected Democratic allies of GOP officeholders. Basically, these guys hang out together and take care of each other regardless of who is in power. Always have and always will. At least Bonnie has a brain
- paul needham, derry nh

Appoint Tom Eaton. Is is a pro-eviornment, Pro-choice Republican! He would be great.
- Tim, Keene

Everyone here is bashing Gregg because the GOP won't have a long time incumbent in the running in 2010 like they would if he stayed AND ran again. Note I said "AND ran again". The assumption here is that he wll run again but I wouldn't be so sure about that. I am sure Gregg knows most Cabinet members are lucky if they make it through the first four years of a presidency and(assuming Obama gets a second term)being around for the second term is very unusual. Anyone consider that maybe Gregg wants to retire? Who here in their early 60's with a good pension coming would want to keep working?? It very well may be that the GOP will have a relative newcomer running in 2010 no matter what Gregg does now. In fact, Gregg may be doing the GOP a favor if they can have someone in office for 2 years to build up a record to run on.
- Joe, Weare

Jim Wilson, John E Sununu is the logical choice because he was arguably the smartest person in the Senate chamber. (Recall his suggestion of reform for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac well before the subprime crunch started.) Lemings have fallen off the cliff before, and the lemings fell off the cliff again by rejecting Sununu.
- Nicholl, Manchester

This republican-democrat thing keeps the electorate happy by presenting it with a false dichotomy and the illusion of "choice." Sen. Gregg, with his support of the Wall Street bailout, his backing of the McCain-Bush Amnesty for illegal immigrants and his defense of "free trade" (read: the government supervised evisceration of the US economy) is just as much in the globalist camp as Robert Reich and the other Clinton-era retreads that President Obama has foisted upon this hapless nation in the name of "change." Our supposed saviors are the very foxes who were guarding our economic henhouse when they repealed the Glass-Steagle Act in 1999 and allowed the banksters to run riot, thus setting us on the road to the economic Armageddon that is now inexorably approaching despite all the feel-good diversions the media likes to throw at us.

Thanks to the "bipartisan" efforts of both Republicans and Democrats, your money belongs to the Wall-Street banksters, your telephone records belong to the Department of Homeland Security and your kids belong to the Department of "Defense" and will be expended to fight the empire's wars whenever it is necessary. Sen. Gregg is just receiving a pat on the back for his yeoman service to this cabal and they all think we're too stupid to notice.

P.S. To the commenter who downed John Sununu for never responding to his letters: You must not have written good letters. Sen. Sununu has scrupulously answered every single communication I have ever sent him over the years.
- Ed, Sunapee

Personally, I'd like to know why Judd Gregg is such a great pick for Commerce considering he's never held a real job in his adult life.

Obama says he's the best choice? Yeah, right... prove it.

He's a laywer and a politician. I find it hard to believe there weren't people who actually know something about commerce available.

Obama's trying to deliver a filibuster-proof majority to Harry Reid. That's all this is.
- William Smith, Manchester, NH

If Lynch picks a Republican I am drafting Burt Cohen to run for Governor!
- Jim, Portsmouth

So how is this any different that what Governor Blagojevich did in Illinois? Lynch should appoint the best person and stay out of behind the scenes deal making.
- LJC, Manchester

Brian, I voted against Sununu, not because of the R next to his name, but because he only responded to about 10% of my letters.

Let's remove the party affiliation from the 2010 ballots!
- Jeff, Manchester

We just got through this Senate succession mess in New York, one of the triumvirate of the most corrupt state governments in the U.S. (sharing honors with Illinois and New Jersey). But I will admit Paterson withstood the Kennedy/Bloomberg onslaught pretty adeptly in selecting someone mostly of his choosing. (Though our Chuck Schumer really wanted Gillibrand so he could finally look like the "Senior" Senator he's been for 8 years.)

With ties to your state through Dartmouth (class of 1966), I hope to see New Hampshire retain its vaunted reputation for integrity that the whole country has long admired. My concern is that whatever Gov. Lynch may promise, the pressure would quickly mount from the party of Reid, Pelosi, Durbin and (the aforementioned) Schumer to discard it after Gregg leaves, since they consider promises to Republicans not worth keeping anyway! Afterwards, if confronted by the media over their mendacity, they will respond, sporting Cheshire cat grins, "Sorry, but this politics sure is a tough business, isn't it?"
- Mike Handelsman, Brooklyn, NY

To Governor Lynch- I implore you to appoint John E. Sununu to the vacant seat. I understand that he just lost an election, but he lost because his party lost.
- Brian, Concord

Good thinking Nicholl, appoint a guy who the majority rejected.
- Jim Wilson, Manchester

Congrats to our new Commander in
Chief. A couple of weeks into his first of two terms and he's already carving up the repubes like a surgeon. Keep up the good work President Obama!
- Don, Manchester

Gregg should stay in the Senate. This "deal" reeks and we should not trust Lynch.

Gregg will win re-election in 2010 because, although NH got caught up in Obamamania in 08, it isn't that stupid to screw up again now that reality is setting in.

Gregg has the credentials and smarts to run for Pres himself in 2012!
- Marc, Weare

If you believe that there is truly a deal in place that will replece Gregg with a true Republican, I have land in Florida to sell you!
- sally, candia, nh

Why would the Gov. make himself look bad to his party just to make Gregg look good to his party? Gov., if your a Democrat then act like a Democrat. This kind of betrayal won't be forgotten in 2 years. With Gregg out of the way you think you've found a way to run for Senate but, how many Democrats would support you after this????? Have been a loyal supporter for years, not any more!!
- Ken Martin, Sanbornton

This must mean that Judd owes back taxes also. It's Obama's plan to collect unpaid taxes. Just nominate those who owe and force them pay up before they are confirmed. Brillant! I mean, if it's OK for the Secretary of the Treasury to not pay taxes, why not the rest of us?
- Lenny, Winchester

I'M SHOCKED (LOL) another insider, wine and cheese republican gets the Senate seat. Lynch continues to be the puppet master (as long as GOP lets him).This one can come back to bite him though. Dear John-picking an insider (millionare) and ignoring the regular guy or gal wins you NO friends GOP or DEM.
- frank, hampton

Micky Kaus makes the point better than I could. Check him out on Slate, under "Gregg's Vanity."
- Jim, Manchester

Dang, if Gregg actually takes this deal, what a tool! Quick, without Google, who were the last couple of Commerce Secretaries? What the heck can he do for us in this corrupt Cabinet? At least promise HE'LL pay his taxes?

On second thought, if he really believes all this Obama sweet talk, and thinks this "stimulus bill" is what the country needs, then he is a mental midget. Maybe we would be better off without him.
- Jim, Manchester

I don't understand.
Why does it have to be a republican or democrat?
Why are we all so silly that we do not see that allowing these two parties the sole right to lead our country is where everything went wrong to begin with?
- AL, Manchester

To Thad of Dalton
"Everything is a big conspiracy apparently"

I believe that you have hit on something here. After all that has happened since the Johnson administration (5 decades), the US has headed to a one party system. The two parties have become one. Their only purpose is to pay lip service to the electorate and keep them happy. Third parties are kept out of the loop so that the good ole boys network can continue to slap each other on the back and trade favors to keep themselves in office and, as a result, in POWER.

Anyone who believes that there are two parties who offset eachother for leadership needs to have their heads examined. We are all being manipulated and, so long as this process continues, we will continue to be led by the nose while we circle the drain.

Unfortunately, this country continues to deteriorate from within. God save America from our greedy and corrupt politicians and from out willingness to be led by the nose.
- Dennis, Merrimack, NH

Appoint John E. Sununu, the logical choice.
- Nicholl, Manchester

Some of the comments I see here are very sad! Talk about self centered comments!

One thing that makes America a great country is our ability to work where we want and what we want to do. Why should Gregg be denied that same option?

If this is a position he is interested in then he should take it.

Do I like the potential ramifications...as a republican myself certainly not! But if the shoe was on my foot, I'd be extremely troubled if someone was telling me what I can and can't do for work! Last time I checked America allows freedom of choice in the job you want.

Lynch, if he actually has any honor, should a appoint a Republican to fill his position. As for 2010 worry about that when it gets here. In the meantime the republican party better get on its high horse to ensure that seat says republican in 2010!

As for you people whining about Gregg doing a disservice to New Hampshire, you should be ashame...talk about socialist views!!!
- Mike, Epping

Gregg has told colleagues "that if he becomes the third Republican in Obama's Cabinet -- a decision that could come as early as today -- his replacement would affiliate with the GOP" They are playing this same song that his replacement would caucus with the Republicans. What is that supposed to mean? That is like saying that if I sit in my garage I will become a car.
- Bob H, Londonderry

Do you see how Republican politics are handled in NH?
Why do the “leaders” of the party continue to slap the conservatives – the base – in the face?
This report at minimum shows two republicans – yes, I meant small “r” – to be supporters of then Democrat nominee for governor, John Lynch.
The downfall of the NH GOP began after Jeanne Shaheen won her first election as governor.
Then there was the Republican caucus where the late Mike Whalley got the votes from Republicans for speaker. Mike would have been an excellent Speaker of the NH House. But no, Doug Scamman and the Democrats got together and elected – Scamman!
Since then we have been losing elections.
Now this fiasco talking about two people who are admittedly supporters of the Teflon governor Democrat John Lynch replacing Gregg - thanks, Judd.
I agree with James, Casey, Fran, and Greg.
How is this for a prediction: Republican registrations in NH will immediately be reduced – and in 2010 there will be many Independents on the ballot – whereas we no longer have “straight ticket voting”?
bnyoung@metrocast.net
- Niel Young, Laconia

Wow, the postings show that Republicans are nasty to even their own. I think that the end of business as usual in DC is incomprehensible to the old liners. Republican party is in complete disarray in NH.
- Mike, Whitefield

Hacks who serve in politics too long become completely out of touch with real people. Children who follow their parents into politics were never in touch to start with.

Judd Gregg, Patrick Kennedy and Lincoln Chafee are good examples of spoiled brats who have never done an honest days work in their lives.
- Bill Howard, Exeter

Everyone was complaining that it would be a Democrat replacement, and now that it is a Republican, they are still complaining.

Everything is a big conspiracy apparently, and there is just no pleasing some people.
- Thad, Dalton

Many of these posts are unbelievable. Dem. President nominates Republicans to cabinet positions; Dem. Governor selects a Republican for an open Senate seat. And what do many of the Republicans posting have to say, nothing but negative.

Get a clue. You're sending the message to Dems to just pick Dems in the future, because you're going to bash them anyway.

The Republicans posting negatively about this cabinet pick and subsequent selection for senate seat, appear completely irrational. Just what more do you think Dems should do to make you feel better about the Repubs completely screwing this country up over the past eight years?

Remember eight years ago all of the grand talk of a new era and the dramatic positive changes that would happen now that finally the Republicans controlled Washington. Well we’re living it. The Dems have swept their way into control of Washington, just as the Republicans had, by everyone witnessing the opposite party completely mess up the country. Did we hear the Dems talking about a whole new era and how they will keep control for years to come? Little of the grand talk, Republicans being selected to important posts, etc. Get a clue.
- Peter Sorrentino, Manchester, NH

People, you must come to the realization that the majority of the elected are frauds paying lip service to the " I want to believe".
The reality is keep the people divided, tell them "we stand for what you stand for". What is unsaid "That way you keep reelecting me and I have made some great connections and my future is now secure".
- Michael, Manchester

Gregg was in trouble for 2010 anyway. Conservatives want to "primary" him and the Dems wanted his head. The Republican Party has bottomed already. It has new leadership in NH and nationally with aggressive plan to change the way it does business including dealing with the "deadwood" consultants. 2010 should be better than 2008. How much I don't know,but public support for this "stimulus (spending)" package has fallen off from 58 to 42 percent. Governing is messy and the new overreaching majority is finding that out already. Gregg's appointment won't mean much.
- Chris, Merrimack

While I am greatful that NH won't hand the democrats a filibuster proof senate, I am disappointed that Gregg may be moving on. I'd almost bet that with a republican set to fill Greggs seat, Commerce may go to someone else. The good news is that in 2 years people will likely realize they have been had by the current majority party and democrats won't have an easy time holding thier seats.
- Jeff, Goffstown

The best choice would be John E. Sununu, but I guess that's too obvious. Besides, he would really be a Republican instead of a make believe pick by Gov. Lynch.
- John, Keene

This would be laughable if it wasn't so serious. Gregg has to recognize this joke for what it is and say no to BO.
- leo, canterbury

People if none of you have seen the big picture here we as conservatives have already lost. Politics is no longer about serving your country or the people of your state with honor it is about getting rich screwing over the middle class that get stuck with the bill. THe guilty vote won the white house and now those of us that goto work each day have no veto in line. Wether or not Gregg goes on to the cabinet or not really means nothing here except for a pay increase for him. He is a politician like Porter and Lynch. Its time for us to brace for the impact.
- R, Manchester

Uh just because Newman has an "R" after her name means nothing with regards to her political beliefs. Politico reports that "Newman would likely caucus with Republicans, but conservative New Hampshire Republicans fret that she would vote less like the conservative Gregg and his former colleague John Sununu and more like Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, the two centrist Republicans who represent Maine in the Senate."

It doesn't matter because she will be quitting after 2 years. Gregg, you have created a real mess with this decision and Republicans are not happy with you at all even if Lynch does appoint Newman. You would be being replaced by a Democrat in sheep's clothing and giving Paul Hodes or Shea-Porter an open seat in 2 years to go after. After all of these years of support, this is how you thank your Republican base?
- Greg Ballard, Bedford

No restriction on not running for election in 2010!!
- Ben Thomas, Manchester

Even if this is pulled off, Gregg is still doing a disservice to the New Hampshire Republican party. He might be helping the national Republican party by not helping the Democrats get the 60 seats in the senate for the next two years, but he is killing NH republicans by leaving an open door for NH Democrats to go after an open seat in two years.

Thanks for nothing Judd.
- James Price, Bedford, NH

Newman would be a great pick, but I don't like the fine print saying she will only serve out the next two years.
- Kevin Lyons, Raymond, NH

If it is Bonnie Newman, PLEASE don't concede to only holding the seat for two years. You and Gregg are still ultimately hurting NH by handing the seat over in 2010!
- Fred Jenkins, Manchester

What a joke. The Dems are still achieving what they want- An open senate seat in NH for a Dem to go after in 2010. Do you seriously think New Hampshire Republicans can't see through this?
- Casey Johnes, Manchvegas

I still see this as a political move for the Democrats. If Newman were going to be running for re-election in 2010, I would absolutely give credit to Gregg for having the best interests of NH Republicans in mind, however he is now throwing us into a position where NH Republicans will have to throw am unknown candidate up against a candidate well known in NH such as Hodes or Shea-Porter. I think Newman has the responsibility NOT to close off the door to the possibility of running in 2010 for this to be a fair move.
- Chris King, Manchester, NH

Gregg was a lousy governor - remember the PSNH deal - and as senator helped Bush get us into this hopeless Iraqi war. Lynch has once again proven he doesn't have a spine if he picks Newman. Lynch was a Democrat - sadly he has become a DINO.
- Harry, Hampton