YOUR COMMENTS

Only a democrat would be enough of a wimp to even consider appeasing the opposition by, for example, appointing a republican in Gregg's stead out of "fairness" or some other nonsense. There is no need for such concessions at this time in this state! For a host of reasons, I won't vote R, but sometimes I can't stand my own party either. Lynch, take a hit to your 75% approval rating by making a gutsy call for once.
- Tom, Manchester

I would like to suggest that should Senator Gregg be asked to serve in the Cabinet of President Obama, That Governor Lynch do the right thing and appoint a Republican to replace him. My recommendation for this appointment would be Ray Wieczorek, he has served the people for many years and would most likely just serve out the two years and not run for re-election. Ray has proven to be a leader who represents all the people and has always been able to put aside party politics and do the right thing for all the people.
- Allen, Hampton Falls

Judd:

If you are not smart enough to know that you are being used and that you will be thrown-out when your usefullness is over, then you are not good enough to be our senator.
- sally, candia, nh

As expected, Obama is moving to consolidate his power, but what is Sen. Gregg thinking? The talking point which states that Gregg is the most qualified for the position is demonstrably false. Obama previously nominated the corrupt Bill Richardson for the position and also approached Olympia Snowe about it - so Gregg is simply second on the brief list of liberal Republicans whose seat Obama might be able to poach in the absence of a corrupt political ally to place in the position.

Strange...
- Tom, Campton

Senator Judas Gregg could always run for his seat again after solving the nation's economic problems.
- bob m, rochester ny

There is absolutely no way Gov. Lynch will be brave enough to deny the President of the United States his wish that Gregg's replacement be a Democrat, thereby denying the Republican Party the ability to filibuster a bill it considers odious, ill-considered, and bad for the country - whatever that bill may be. Obama has played this very shrewdly. He understands the power play and power politics. Gregg will take the job. Lynch will appoint a Democrat. It's over. End of story.
- Fred, Rochester, NH

He will have to run for dog catcher when he comes back to nh. Maybe I would vote for him then.
- Bob, Salem, NH

I didn't think it could get better for Democrats after the inauguration of Barack Obama...

I was wrong!
- Jay Simpson, Atkinson

Simple Con job. Obama is manipulating the Senate, for if Gregg takes the job Republicans can't fillerbuster the Stimulus bill.
- Mark Jenkins, Derry NH

Obviously, the replacement will not be Sununu or Stephens or anyone who is going to run in 2010.

You get Scamman (a gift for NH-based bipartisan service), Newman (hopefully, she's brilliant), or Peterson (respected and honest) and a free-for-all in 2010. Lynch is a D, and is not obligated to even give the R's any sort of fair shake.

By him picking a R to fill the seat, it's the most bi-partisan move in the last 20 years of any state in the country, and shows NH knows how to do things right.

Of course, he'll now win reelection by 85-15, since the state R party won't even field a candidate against him.

Stephen gets his shot in 2010, maybe against Zellif, Bradley and Sununu, and all the other coatholders.
- R. Burroughs, Concord

"(P)roudly rebukes government spending"? Now that's a laugh. Truly. The only "thing" New Hampshire has going for it is the fact we do not have a broad based income or sales tax. Big deal. Our property tax rates are some of the highest in the nation. Remember taxes were supposed to come down after the statewide property tax went into effect? Not yet. We pay higher insurance rates than most of our neighbors. And the only truly steady stream of tax revenue that state has is from "sin" taxes. How people expect a decent sized state as we are to survive and prosper on sin taxes is beyond me.

And, please, save me the flinty, tough-as-granite New Hampshireite malarky. Because I can tell you, as a lifelong resident of New Hampshire, it's a load of manure. We are as dependent as anyone else, in other parts of this country and around the globe, for our prosperity. The difference in our state from when I was a child in the 1960's is stark and telling. But it didn't happen in a vacuum. The entire country has been changed.

I happen to like Senator Gregg and think he would be a wise choice for Commerce Secretary. He has served New Hampshire well and has been one of the few lonely Republican voices that represent what The Republican Party used to be about before it was hijacked and perverted by right wing ideologues. He is what I refer to as a thinking man's Republican. The Republican Party would be so much more effective and broad-based if there were more people like him under the big GOP tent.
Peace
- Joel, Nashua

wow, so much for putting your country before your party. geeez people, you should be happy Obama's considering him. I'm sure I could come up with a lot of names you'd hate a lot more....
- mike, Hampstead, nh

If we have to have a democrat, I think Bill Gardner would to a good choice. He gets elected to secretary of sate every year by both Republicans and Democrats. He has always done what is best for the state of NH even when he had to stand up to people in his own party (Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean). And he seems to have very good relationship with both Gregg and Lynch.
- Bob, Manchester

This guy has already scr*wed us by voting big government liberal way to many times but now is he going to scr*w us on the way out?
Gregg, at least have the decency to stick out your term.
- JD, Nashua

Gregg takes the cabinet post on the condition that Lynch appoints a Republican to fill out his term. How about John Sunnunu? It would be a great political move on the governors part.
- Dave Elliott, Hooksett

All of the cable news networks are reporting that he has accepted and a press conference is set for Monday morning.
- Jay, Somersworth

Lynch must pick a republican to replace Gregg, it better not be a RINO. I'd like to see Judd ask that John Stephen replace him.
- Greg Salts, Manchester

Judd's voting record can best be described as McCain-ish in nature. Always conservative but Liberal depending on which way the wind is blowing. The wind in NH is to remove this self-serving RINO fool who is no conservative. GOOD RIDANCE, JUDD!
- Dennis, Merrimack, NH

Judd: Why do think Obama and the rest of the left-wingers (Obama had the most liberal voting record in the US Senate his last year there) are considering you for this post? To pursue a conservative agenda when it comes to commerce policy? Appointing you is the oldest trick in the book. Don't do it, Judd.
- Dave, Stratham

He'll take it because Judd has what is best for NH at heart. Not! Strictly in it for himself.
- Bob H, Londonderry

Goodbye Judd, I will not miss you. If you do this, you are a sellout out to all of us who have supported you all these years. In your case, it has always been your ego over the party anyways.
- Harry, Wolfeboro