Wonkette
A Democratic Hill staffer with a clear “liberal bias” writes to TPM, offering a taste of what we can expect from the Internet in a post-Gregg world: “It’s hard not to think that Gregg’s withdrawal, with the grumbling about the census and the stimulus, was not timed to cause the most damage possible to the Obama administration. Releasing the statement just as Obama took the stage in Peoria was clearly designed to undermine the President’s event. The fact he scheduled a presser only seems to confirm it…
“The classy exit would have been to wait til tomorrow afternoon to quietly bow out. Basically Gregg decided not just to politely decline, but rather to blow shit up and burn the bridge behind him. Do not think this portends good things for the wider political climate.”
That’s a whole new level of evil, Hill Staffer. So it’s probably true.
On the other side, likely Gregg replacement Jonah Goldberg has written this at NRO:
Judd Gregg has more backbone than anyone in politics today… He ought to think very seriously about a presidential run. I mean it. This is an act of courage. That’s what we need.
Maybe this is that “snark” stuff we always hear about on NPR.
Timing [TPM]
Three Hats Off to Judd Gregg [The Corner]
Some may call it courage; others, breaking a verbal contract and being a douche.
It’s not just an “act of courage.” It’s a profile in courage. Me thinks Judd Gregg is perhaps the “douchebag of courage.”
Um, presidential run? Gregg pretty much just shot himself in the foot. Pity he wasn’t aiming for the face.
Palin/Gregg ‘08!
Judd Goes Free or Your “Stimulus” Dies, Obie!
OK, just ask Mr. Bipartisanship John McCain to run the damn thing.
Into the ground.
Yes. The world will never forget. It will change the course of politics, FOREVER. Just like the Richardson thing. I see that’s still on the front page of every periodical on the planet, right?
“Judd Gregg has more backbone than anyone in politics today… He ought to think very seriously about a presidential run. I mean it. This is an act of courage. That’s what we need.”
Coming from the ballbag whose book has a smiley face with a Hitler mustache scribbled on it …
When the history books are written they will say, “Gregg: Pussied out, out of honor and courage. Fuckin’ shit.”
…and as the winds of change blow all across America today at 60 mph, knocking down trees and crushing cars, maybe our new president can pick a fucking cabinet member who isn’t an asshole, tax evader, scumbag. In spite of it all, I still have HOPE!!!
Judd Gregg. Flush. Also.
I’d volunteer to be Secretary of Commerce, but I haven’t actually balanced my checkbook since the Clinton Administration.
Maybe this will “cure” Barry of his “Bi” partisan tendencies.
Wow, the pseudoconservative bar for presidential eligibility sinks lower and lower. Soon, Jonah, even you might find yourself qualified.
Jonah Goldberg is a fascist.
Courage? Leaping into a burning building to save someone is courage. Declining a cabinet level position in order to score temporary political points is just stupid.
I hear Paulson (FAIL) is available.
GlennBecksFelch: The liberal or conservative kind?
Maybe this is that “snark” stuff we always hear about on NPR.
Snark? What snark? Who said anything about snark? We’re wonketeers!
So how does this leave Gregg looking?
In New Hampshire, Democrats seem to be split between weasel, genius, asshole and foolish. But leaning toward foolish weasel asshole.
http://www.bluehampshire.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6483#60862
And totally not buying the “It’s ’cause I’m all upset about the Census” line.
Courageous? Unpatriotic, more like. I mean, not to get too heavy-handed, but if the fucking President asks you do to something for your country, you fucking do it. You do it because the President has asked you, because you care about your country and because you respect the office of the President. And if you can’t do it, you tell the President, promptly and privately, and before he makes any announcements, so that he can find someone else who actually has the balls to do it.
I wouldn’t normally be so worked up — it’s really bad for the skin when the capillaries pop — but it’s the Republicans who crow about how they’re about duty and honor and patriotism. This isn’t any of those things, and it sure as hell isn’t courage. It’s bullshit. Call it like it is, or stfu.
Only losers into just-below-the-surface politics (us) even knows who this Jugg Hedd guy is, so this is not only bullshit, it’s like holographic bullshit. Meaning nobody cares.
So how many more times will Barry let a Republican shit in his shoes before he learns that all sane people became Democrats a long time ago?
gayerthanthou: hyper win. I thought Denby was a dick, but this is beyond dickdom.
Please oh please let their be some Dems to stand up and cry “Unpatriotic!”
Totowa: Honestly I don’t hold the appointee troubles against Barry at all. It doesn’t reflect poorly on his judgment at all. Rather, it reflects poorly on everyone else in government because he is apparently unable to find a single person among them who is not a worthless lying shitsack.
Judd Gregg just gave the American public an unwanted facial, y’all.
Substantial penalties for early withdrawal.
Who gets all pissy about the census? And leaves a job with the WH to go back to being one of one-hundred? He’s not only a DBag and a piss-ant, but he’s also fucking stupid.
So, a typical GOPer.
Another reason to cry FOUL is that today is Lincoln’s birthday, something Barry was taking advantage of.
I call old-timey, partisan BS Judd Gregg!
Obama is the only man on the planet who will not publicly call Gregg a conniving douchebag. Bless him. But everybody else on the planet should call Gregg a conniving douchebag. Also.
Vanity Smurf: AMEN!!! He needs to show off those big, shiny Truck-Nutz and thell the ‘pubs to go fuck themselves
Duh! He didn’t even have “a chance” to give Obama a heads-up before he dropped out. It’s still unclear if anyone in the admin knew ahead of time, but I’m sure a few had a feeling something like this was going to happen after yesterday’s meeting between Gregg and Obama.
Gayer Than Thou: Comment of the year
Does he have a Wide Stance(tm)?
Gayer Than Thou - BRAVO! Extremely well-said.
Gayer Than Thou: Yes, Hyperwin. You are good at this.
Either dissolve the Department of Commerce or give the position to Roland Burris. Only two viable options.
This is an act of courage.
I agree. All Republicans should have this kind of courage in the future and stay the hell out of the White House.
Bruno: No, but he does have Suspicious Connections with Abramoff™
Cathangover: WIN!
Roland Burris it is! Totally fine if he fucks up. New Senator from the great state of Illinois - Ma Barker!
Gayer Than Thou: What, did you just walk out of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’?
Good luck in 2010, Judd.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/12/democratic-source-gregg-campaigned-for-the-job/
I bet the Dems in NH are falling all over themselves to declare for the opportunity to kick his ass.
Gayer Than Thou: The last three weeks have been a lesson in double-standards. It’s so cute the way conservatives are suddenly so concerned about 1) voter fraud 2) respecting the office of the presidency 3) Bipartisanship (seriously!) 4) deficit spending 5) limited power for the executive branch.
The mind boggles.
Nobody is going to notice we don’t have a Secretary of Commerce until we have some commerce.
1. you should be glad for people who are willing to stick their neck out for the American people and not just kow tow to the current political machine
2. if you don’t understand the ramifications of changes to the census…read up on it before you comment on it
3. I can’t believe there are still people who BLINDLY follow Obama - he’s not going to be right on everything no matter how wonderful he may or may not be thankfully the founding fathers set up a system of checks and balances…don’t complain about it embrace it it’s what helps keep us free
what republican wouldn’t want to be president of shopping?
Johnson: Lol. You’re so funny and ironical. Right? . . . RIGHT?!?!
Johnson: Get thee to a nunnery, troll.
Johnson: I fail to see how your comment really applies here…
Johnson: Judd didn’t stick his neck out you fucking retard. He turtled like the coward he is. I’m from NH and Judd is TOAST.
I fail to see how your comment really applies here…
We’ve been good boys and girls, and now we deserve a Paultard pinata!
IceCreamEmpress: Aaaaahhhh I see….a gift from the Wonkette gods. Swing away!!
Internally valid: No, but I suddenly feel like I’m playing Roxie Hart in an online production of Chicago.
Cape Clod: Yeah, one theory is that he was pressured from the other side, either through bribing or whatever, to drop out and ‘embarrass’ Obama, for the team.
None of his reasonings, so far, pan out to solid evidence as to why someone would drop a position they gunned for. He KNEW what kind of thing the stimulus was going to be, what, two weeks ago? I mean, I bought some new pants in honor of the stimulus, and that was like, four months ago.
IceCreamEmpress: RON PAUL!!!!!!1!
So Judd hates Amerika or just half of it?
Johnson: Let’s assume I’m a stupid idiot for a moment. What are they doing to the census that should make me upset?
Schwartzenegger would be the coolest token republican for Commerce. Why not, California’s the sixth-biggest economy in the world, right? Plus, the blazing star power and unapologetic alpha maleness. Imagine him rolling through different countries making trade agreements, that guy could dazzle the Taliban into asking for autographs and most-favored-nation trading status.
friendlyskies: Enh, we kinda need Arnold in place, cuz that Ebay lady sucks, and wants to be the new Governor of California. She needs to stay away, is what I’m saying. But Arnold IS a good idea, in that ‘who is Judd Gregg’ way.
I have been to the mountain, and I found a guy there who seemed to be a person of color, then I remembered my constituents and donors hardly know any persons of color, to which I responded to myself, “am I fucking high? CANCEL!!!!11!!”
friendlyskies: Holy fucking shit… Schwartzenegger?!? You know California is on the verge of bankruptcy because of him, right? That liposuctioned freak needs to be encased in a block of frozen urine and then set on fire. Under no circumstances is anyone to let Schwartzenegger anywhere near the tool shed behind the White House, much less the White House.
Johnson: OOOoooh… The Census! I’m afraid! What are they going to do, COUNT PEOPLE TWICE or something? Go pound sand.
Gayer Than Thou: Hosannah.
j6n: Nobody is going to notice we don’t have a Secretary of Commerce until we have some commerce.
Best observation yet. Quotable.
I’m thinking Milburn Drysdale for secretary of Commerce. Or was that Jane Hathaway?
2. if you don’t understand the ramifications of changes to the census…read up on it before you comment on it
Particularly the part about where they’re not set up or funded to do anything other than what they’ve done in the past.
Johnson: Let’s assume I’m a stupid idiot for a moment. What are they doing to the census that should make me upset?
They want to use techniques that are less costly and more accurate and are supported by statisticians and scientists.
Johnson: Good lord…
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/02/the-census-cana.html#more
Cathangover: I’ve got it.
He signs a pardon and appoints Blagojevich to the position. It’s not Interior, but it’ll do.
StripesAndPlaids: Or Larry Tate.
If only Repugistan will unclench the douchenozzle of liberty …
Wanted: Commerce Secretary For Smooth Confirmation. Convicted Felons Need Not Apply
http://democralypsenow.blogspot.com/2009/02/with-all-usual-class-and-dignity_12.html
“If you can’t wake up in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror in good conscience, then you’re doing something wrong. There’s a right way and a wrong way in life. Gregg chose the right way.”
Bush said the same thing when he came “home” to Dallas, Texas. He mentioned how he looks himself in the mirror and feels fine. So basically, you don’t have to do the “right” thing, you just have to justify whatever you do and tell yourself that it’s the right thing. That way, no matter what you do, you’re always doing the right thing!
tldr version: The guy who wrote what I have in quotes at the top is a moron.
The most courageous thing Jonah Goldberg can attest to is role-playing President Clinton when his mom was telling Linda Tripp what to get Monica Lewinsky to talk about.
gwangung: Oh, so you’re saying Johnson is expressing faux outrage at a non-issue? Thanks for wasting everyone’s time, Johnson.
Atheist Nun: I dunno about that. I mean, we all know what happens when Arnold goes to the toolshed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZlVQyVfaPA
victorferreira: hahaha, nice. Yes, Ahnold’s political career is much like his acting gigs: Stand around pretending to do stuff you don’t really know how to do, read off a few funny quips that someone else wrote for you, and fuck the staff in the nearest trailer.
MortSinclair: Or as some, like me, would put it, stealable. Or at least plagarizable.
Judd Gregg Quitttter
Who cares? It’s Sarah Palin’s birthday! First dude is probly gettin some skull right now!
gwangung: Oh, so you’re saying Johnson is expressing faux outrage at a non-issue? Thanks for wasting everyone’s time, Johnson.
Oh, it’s only faux if he knew about the situation. Or knew the laws about the Census. Or knew anything period.
Nominate the OCTUPLET MOM!! For the biparentsanship.
friendlyskies: I’m with Atheist Nun on this one. You can’t be from California.
Probly somebody threatened to release pictures of Jonah Goldberg and his mom tweezing Jugg Hedd’s butthairs in some kind of weird paleo-neocon ritual, such as, if he didn’t immediately renounce all allegiance to bipartisanship of any kind. Also.
Is anyone else elated by this? He was a disastrous choice, according to the labor folks who know about such things, and he was useless politically. Shit, I’d like to think Rahm made him an offer he couldn’t refuse to drop out.
Johnson: I don’t think anyone is just blindly following Obama here. We’re merely calling a duplicitous douchebag a duplicitous douchebag.
Surely Mudd Dregg considered the position and proposals of the President in this area before he accepted the job (while the specifics are always subject to negotiation and changing circumstances, he certainly would have been well aware of their general thrust). As other Wonketteers have pointed out, if he had been genuine in his contrary view and had even a scintilla of respect for the office of POTUS, surely he would have had the dignity to privately and respectfully decline the honour he was being offered to serve his country at the request of his President.
Courage? Malarky! Even the most ham-fisted political hack knows that timing is its stock and trade, and both Mr Gregg and his announcement stink worse than David Vitter’s souvenirs.
If this is the kind of ‘bipartisanship’ the Republicans are going to bring to the table, then it’s high time the President stood up, reminded these buffoons in no uncertain terms who won the election and why, and then set about finding a Democrat for the job.
One word: Asshole.
I think it’s a beautiful thing. When will people realize that Obama/Emmanuel are zen masters at political jujitzu? The only one who looks bad here is Gregg and, by extention, the Republican party and now Obama could literally put a Teddy Ruxpin bear, a communist Teddy Ruxpin bear w/ an illegal nanny who has never paid taxes, in his place and what can the Republicans do to stop him?
It’s beautiful. Start writing the text book.
nmmagayar: I know, right? Barry totes needs to realize that there’s no such thing as working with Republicans now. Also.
Captain Swing: I think I have a scintilla wrap if you would like to borrow it sometime…
PAbitter: “I’ve got this trade agreement here, and its F**king GOLDEN!”