Another One Bites the Dust

It was reported today that Judd Gregg withdrew his nomination as Commerce Secretary. This continues to seem like a game to the Republicans and I think Obama has tried hard enough with them. According to the New York Times, Gregg stated there were "irresolvable conflicts" and backed out:

“It has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me,” Mr. Gregg said in a statement. “Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.”

With his usual style and class, Obama showed a sense of humor in his speech this evening. Speaking of Lincoln in his office, he joked:

"His sons were playing around him, his clothes a bit too small for his uncommon frame - maybe wondering if somebody might call him up and ask him to be commerce secretary."

I appreciate that he can laugh at it and really think we will all be better off without Gregg. Perhaps Obama has been too open to stretching out his hand to the Republicans. It seems Gregg went back to his old boy's club of no compromise, no agreement, and closed minds.

The game playing by the Republicans is ridiculous and immature. This is not a game - these are very serious times with very serious issues. The only good thing about it is that all the games in the world won't change the fact that they - finally - are outnumbered either way.