Judd Gregg withdraws as US Commerce Secretary nominee
Friday, February 13, 2009
Judd Gregg (R-NH), who was nominated by President Barack Obama as the next United States Secretary of Commerce, withdrew from consideration Thursday, citing "irresolvable conflicts" with Obama over the administration's proposed stimulus package and the Census.
Judd Gregg is a current Senator representing New Hampshire, where he formerly served as Governor. Senator Gregg is also the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee and a member of the Republican Party. Had he been confirmed, he would have been the second Republican in Obama's cabinet.
In a statement, Gregg thanked the President for the nomination.
"However, 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. Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns," Senator Gregg said in his statement.
In an official White House press release, Robert Gibbs stated: "Once it became clear after his nomination that Senator Gregg was not going to be supporting some of President Obama’s key economic priorities, it became necessary for Senator Gregg and the Obama administration to part ways. We regret that he has had a change of heart."
Gregg is the fourth cabinet nominee of Obama to withdraw. The first three were former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle, consultant Nancy Killefer, and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson who was Obama's first choice for Commerce Secretary.
Related news
- "Obama cabinet nominees withdraw over tax issues" — Wikinews, February 4, 2009
Sources
- Press Release: "Statement on Gregg's withdrawal" — White House, February 12, 2009
- Press Release: "Senator Gregg Statement On His Withdrawal From Consideration Of U.S. Commerce Secretary" — United States Senate, February 12, 2009
- Chris Cillizza, Anne E. Kornblut and Michael D. Shear. "Gregg Withdraws as Commerce Nominee" — The Washington Post, February 12, 2009
- "Another Obama cabinet pick quits" — BBC Online News, February 12, 2009
- Jeff Zeleny. "Judd Gregg Withdraws as Commerce Nominee" — The New York Times, February 12, 2009