Two Down at Commerce
Day 24
Feb. 12, 2009
"The bottom line is, this was simply a bridge too far for me. The President asked me to do it. I said yes. That was my mistake, not his."
—Judd Gregg, Republican Senator from New Hampshire, explaining why he suddenly pulled his name from consideration for the Commerce Secretary post
"Senator Gregg reached out to the President and offered his name for Secretary of Commerce. He was very clear throughout the interviewing process that despite past disagreements about policies, he would support, embrace and move forward with the President's agenda ... We regret that he has had a change of heart."
—Robert Gibbs, White House press secretary, on Gregg's withdrawal
First, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson bails because of a federal investigation into his ties to a company that has done business with his state, then Gregg — it appears the Obama Administration is having a hard time finding a Commerce Secretary nominee who will stick. The GOP Senator from New Hampshire shakes up the White House after taking himself out of the running, citing "irresolvable conflicts" on issues like the stimulus package and the Census.