Senior Senator Jeanne Shaheen

"There's got to be a morning af-terrrrr..." (4.00 / 3)

I think the influence that Gregg is going to wield in the Senate by helping to get Obama's agenda passed is going to more than make up for any negative effects Gregg creates in Commerce.  Our former senator is going to be effected by the gravitas of serving the President's will, and it's going to have the effect of making him moderate his own policies to conform to the Obama agenda.  The President is uber charismatic and I think Gregg will end up being a good soldier, and using his connections to help make legislation happen that otherwise might have languished in partisan bickering.  Only time will tell, but when we look back in a year or so I think that may be the story we see.

I think Obama is a fairly centrist Democrat, and that's going to tick off the netroots occasionally; he did talk about a new non- or post-partisan way of doing business, so this shouldn't be a big surprise.  No one can keep their entire constituency happy all of the time, and I don't think he's going to try.  

Give Lynch a little slack; he's fulfilling the wishes of the President, and it should be good for a billion or so in state aid (commuter train from Manchester to Boston maybe?).  If there's a pitchfork and torch march on the NH Statehouse, at least remember to try to have a good time; weenies and smores folks, no need to go without a snack.  

---

by: Digger @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 20:52:45 PM CST

Funny (4.00 / 3)

At first, I thought you wrote "A morning of terror" and couldn't figure out how that fit with the rest of your comments.

I think you're right on...

Knowing Obama from the start (not personally mind you), I agree that Obama is not the left-wing Liberal that many hope him to be, the right-wing Conservatives included.  Get used to hearing the words "Pragmatist" and "Bi-Partisan" folks, that's with this is all about...  And, that's what a majority of the country voted for.  

Feeling hopeful since 2004...now "Secretary" of the New Boston Democratic Caucus

---

by: Kelly Nordstrom @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 20:56:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Empiricist n/t (4.00 / 1)

We represent the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop guild.

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 20:59:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

This Isn't About Bipartisanship Or Pragmatism... (4.00 / 1)

...it's about making a deal.  Nothing to cheer about here.

---

by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:12:55 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Not cheering (4.00 / 1)

just accepting the things I cannot change.

Feeling hopeful since 2004...now "Secretary" of the New Boston Democratic Caucus

---

by: Kelly Nordstrom @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:14:17 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You Sure CAN Change Things... (4.00 / 1)

Never accept things as they are, if they're not right.  I have to ask you:  Do you WANT Judd Gregg to be Commerce Secretary/Cabinet Member?  If so, you won.  

---

by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:26:50 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I know I CAN... (4.00 / 2)

but my heart's not in this fight.  I know that it is for you Jim, and for others, and I deeply respect that... but for me, it's just not.

Feeling hopeful since 2004...now "Secretary" of the New Boston Democratic Caucus

---

by: Kelly Nordstrom @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:34:06 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Okay... (0.00 / 0)

Introduce a bill to mandate a special election for any senatorial vacancies, including any already-seated Senators. You specifically can change this particular outcome. Not on Gregg in the Cabinet, but on his replacement.

IT for John Lynch '04 and NHDP '08 - I'm liking my track record so far!

---

by: RealNRH @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:50:45 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Deadlines Have Passed (0.00 / 0)

Deadlines for bills have passed for this part of the Legislative Session, but I'll certainly work with you and others come the fall to put a bill into the January, 2010 Legislative Session.  

---

by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:53:20 PM CST

[ Parent ]

There's no exceptions? (0.00 / 0)

I'd thought that there were mechanisms for bringing up emergency or unanticipated business, if the Speaker of the House or President of the Senate wanted to employ them. If not, that seems not only a shame, but potentially dangerous, if something came up that needed immediate legislative action...

IT for John Lynch '04 and NHDP '08 - I'm liking my track record so far!

---

by: RealNRH @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 22:07:04 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Well, Yes... (0.00 / 0)

Well, yes -- but it's a complicated process, and the fact is that it is likely the appointment by the Governor will be made rather quickly, and on an issue like this there would have to be some strong general agreement that we'd want an election.  I haven't checked with more than a handful of House members these past few days, but I think at the least there would be a good number who would not want to push a bill through now, and quickly.  If John Lynch wanted to have an election, we could fast track that, but you'd have to ask him.  Nevertheless, I'd be pleased to work with others to set up a process in the future to avoid this situation.  It's been unfair in a very real way to John Lynch, as well as to the concept of democracy.  If I can help next time around and I'm still here, I will.  

---

by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 22:15:22 PM CST

[ Parent ]

How appropriate (for most anyway) (0.00 / 0)

I have a feeling many here are going to see tomorrow's announcement more along the lines of your earlier perception of the title!

As I get older I become less interested in the partisan side of things, it just seems like a waste of our(finite) energy.  I don't see partisanship getting people who are suffering any closer to the solutions they need.  Not that I don't regularly get all fired up at frequent ignorant and uncaring GOP bad acts, that still happens all the time.  I just don't see horns on every single Republican these days, or I at least do my best to ignore them when necessary.  

There was a story about Obama on the candidate profiles on Frontline; he would hang around with some of the conservative Republicans on the Harvard Law Review, and his more liberal friends were shocked that he actually liked some of them.  He would spend some time hanging out with them and seemed to see them as human beings!

I thought it was one of those small facts that provides a key to understanding someone.  That's why I'm not shocked at all by this appointment, and Obama's brilliant enough for me to give him a little slack with something like this.

---

by: Digger @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:41:51 PM CST

[ Parent ]

This Isn't About Partisanship, It's About Dealmaking... (0.00 / 0)

I'm in favor of partisanship -- I've shown that through the years -- if it puts good people in good places.  But in this case, we have put a man who has a record which is far from mainstream, and certainly far from even conservative Democratic ideals, into a position of great power as a Cabinet Member and Commerce Secretary.  

There's nothing to be proud of here.  I am saddened by this appointment, and the deal, because I expected better.  I'm going to dig up my old newspapers from last November, the Wednesday after the election, and double-check to be sure who won.  I thought we did.  Guess I read it wrong.

---

by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:51:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

typically in a deal (0.00 / 0)

Both sides get something in return. Other than, ya know, what we just got....

J

---

by: Gearfish @ Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 07:15:58 AM CST

[ Parent ]

The train costs $300 mil (4.00 / 2)

A billion would cover passenger rail up to Concord in addition to another lane on each side of I-93 from Manchester to the state line.  And it's actually stimulative!

(seriously, don't stop talking about this)

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

---

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:19:49 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The GOP is relying on (0.00 / 0)

the influence Gregg will have on Obama, not on the Senate.

Show me an example of a Cabinet member from the other party changing a single vote in Congress.

Obama has shown himself to be weak and pliable. This will encourage further obstruction.

---

by: elwood @ Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 04:55:47 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Heh. (0.00 / 0)

Show me an example of a Cabinet member from the other party changing a single vote in Congress.

I can't yet - Bonnie hasn't made any roll call votes.

But I agree w/ the actual point.

birch, finch, beech

---

by: Dean Barker @ Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 05:04:13 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Hmm (0.00 / 0)

Does this mean Govy gets a better office?

---

by: sdoyle @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:12:52 PM CST

Ask Mark Udall (0.00 / 0)

Same situation; elected in November 08, already his state's Senior Senator (Salazar to Interior).

But I doubt it.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

---

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:21:19 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Talk about junior (0.00 / 0)

Jeanne Shaheen, the senior senator of New Hampshire does have a nice ring to it, but having the 99th most senior member of the US Senate, and apparently one in the minority party at that(!), is nothing to cheer about. That's like a step above intern.

Say what you want about Sen. Gregg, but as a member of the Budget and the Appropriations committees, he was reasonably effective at bringing federal dollars to NH ... or else I'm guessing we wouldn't be stuck with a bridge named after him in Manchester (despite Alderman Sulivan's valiant efforts).

This whole fiasco is such a downer.


"Where we are met with cynicism and doubt and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can." - Barack Obama

---

by: Garth Corriveau @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:31:18 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Once again, where's our train and our highway expansion? (0.00 / 0)

By the way, it's 100th.  I assume 99 refers to Senator Franken, but I believe Reid has said Franken's seniority will be as if he were seated with the rest of the class of '08.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

---

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:40:14 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Here comes elwood (4.00 / 2)

he was reasonably effective at bringing federal dollars to NH

Sic'em boy! Sic'em!

www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com

www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

---

by: Jack Mitchell @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:42:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

ha! good one (4.00 / 1)

LOL. I was actually thinking of elwood while writing that ... first I wrote "did a good job" then "effective" before settling on "reasonably effective." I am well aware of elwood's points re: NH being a donor state, so I hope he doesn't completely eviscerate me for my choice of words ;-)

My point is that if we truly expect an unelected member of the minority party who's also dead last in seniority to be a "reasonably effective" U.S. Senator, then we NH citizens are deluding ourselves.  

"Where we are met with cynicism and doubt and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can." - Barack Obama

---

by: Garth Corriveau @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 22:06:26 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Well, I don't need to. (0.00 / 0)

I'll just make you the same deal.

Send me $10,000 and I'll send you back $6,667. I'm reasonable effective at earning money for you.

---

by: elwood @ Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 07:22:46 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Dunno, but (4.00 / 2)

according to tradition, she should get Gregg's senate floor desk, which goes to the senior senator.

Oddly enough, she would then be leaving behind her current desk, which was Obama's.

birch, finch, beech

---

by: Dean Barker @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:40:22 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Which is... (0.00 / 0)

Daniel Webster's desk!

Seriously, that's the coolest the thing about being the senior senator from New Hampshire, as opposed to any other senator.

---

by: Alex Gallichon @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:47:10 PM CST

[ Parent ]

If only Webster had been a Senator from New Hampshire. (0.00 / 0)

Our state pays a great deal of homage to him considering he represented Massachusetts.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

---

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:53:17 PM CST

[ Parent ]

He played a pretty influential role (4.00 / 1)

in New Hampshire politics. He kept a farm in New Hampshire and invited all kinds of politicians to visit. Apparently he was relatively friendly with Franklin Pierce, despite their totally opposite political heritages. And he did represent New Hampshire in Congress. He settled our northern boundary, the Dartmouth people like him for preventing their school from becoming UNH, etc. For probably the greatest statesman in American history, his role in New Hampshire was not insignificant at all.

Also, Massachusetts doesn't seem to care to remember him very much, because they have so many other of the heroes of American history.

---

by: Alex Gallichon @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 22:21:16 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Kind of... (0.00 / 0)

Not quite a new office, but he gets enough in federal highway funds to do a bit of demolition and put a new greenway outside his window.  Kind of the same thing...

---

by: Digger @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 21:46:29 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Funny Stat I Guess (0.00 / 0)

If Gov. Lynch appoints Newman, she will be the first Republican woman to be a US Senator from NH.

Except to have that happen, she had to be appointed by a Democratic Governor.

And just another note. Watching WMUR, and Kathy was just on!

---

by: sdoyle @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 22:06:00 PM CST

continues the roll (0.00 / 0)

NH Women Rule !

We represent the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop guild.

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 22:34:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

comments on NECN last night regarding the Gregg- Lynch deal and our new senator bonnie newman (4.00 / 1)

I have included Newman's resume and my appearance on NECN last night in this post. You will quickly see why I said Bonnie is more qualified for the postion of commerce secretary than Judd...but this is not about qualifications,
this is about: 1.back door deals that serve to help rebuild the Republican brand in NH (there is an irony here that Our "democratic" governor will have appointed NH Republicans to the highest ranking positions in Government and, to add frosting to that appointment cake, he elevated republican women...us senator and attorney general ain't bad),
this is about:2. Obama's decision to sacrifice a creative opportunity to "think outside of the box" at the Commerce Dept in order to massage the egos of a group of old white Republican men in the US Senate (like failed policies and flawed thinking needs to be stroked), and
this is about: 3. forcing chair Buckley and Natl committee woman Sullivan to morph before our eyes as they come up with creative, if not unbelievable, rationales for the Lynch republican pick.

Don't kid yourself...no matter what Bonnie and Lynch say today about her only being a place holder - If Newman finds her footing and her voice in the US Senate, she ain't walkin away in 2010. No one spends decades in the political arena and leaves a plum position like US Sentor. I predict a plaque with Lynch's mug on it in the NH GOP headquarters, citing him as the father of the new and improved republican party.

NECN MONDAY NIGHT

6 hours 58 min 28 sec ago
Newsnight: Sen. Gregg for Commerce post?
http://www.necn.com/Boston/Pol...
Play video

(NECN) - On this segment of Newsnight, host Jim Braude discusses whether or not Judd Gregg will say "yes" to a Cabinet post in President Obama's Administration. Monday evening an official says Obama plans to nominate New Hampshire Republican Senator Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary.

According to the AP, the officials disclosed Gregg's pending nomination on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement had not been made yet.

Jim talks about the pending nomination with political commentator Arnie Arnesen. She predicts Gregg will take the position, and New Hampshire Governor will "find his inner-Republican and appoint Bonnie Newman." Arnesen however says Newman will be in a better position than Gregg, because she is more competent and more prepared to be Commerce Secretary.

BIOGRAPHY OF J. BONNIE NEWMAN

The former Executive Dean at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, J. Bonnie Newman's career spans the public, private, nonprofit and academic sectors.  She is presently engaged as a
Corporate Director.

Ms. Newman is a Director of Citizens Advisors, Lumina Foundation, Markem Corporation and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.  She is Chairman of the United States Naval Academy Board of Visitors and a member of The Economic Club of New York.

Her past appointments include service on the President's Export Council, an advisory board on US trade policy, and the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. She is a former Director of NYNEX Telecommunications, New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, Perini Corporation, Consumers Water Company, Sallie Mae Corporation, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Strawbery Banke Museum, New Hampshire Public Television, the New Hampshire Industrial Development Authority, Indian Head Banks, Fleet Bank of New Hampshire, and Public Service Company of New Hampshire (electric utility).

In the public sector Ms. Newman served in the Reagan and Bush administrations. From 1989 until 1991 she served as Assistant to the President for Management and Administration, where she oversaw all administrative operations for the White House and Executive Office of the President during the transition and administration of George H.W. Bush.  President Ronald Reagan nominated Ms. Newman to the position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and the United States Senate confirmed her appointment in February 1984.  Earlier she served as Associate Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel at the White House and Chief of Staff for New Hampshire Congressman Judd Gregg.

In addition to serving from 2000-2005 as Executive Dean at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, Ms. Newman's academic positions include engagements at the University of New Hampshire as Interim Dean of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics from 1998-1999, Dean of Students from 1972-1978 and as Assistant Dean of Students from 1969-1972.

In the private sector, Ms. Newman has been active as a private investor in the financing and development of early stage entrepreneurial opportunities. Ms. Newman is the founder and former owner of Coastal Broadcasting Corporation, licensee of WZEA-FM radio.  She also held the position of Executive Vice President with Exeter Trust Company.  From 1985 through 1988 Ms. Newman served as President of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire and in 1988 was named President of the New England Council Inc., a regional business association. She served as Executive Director of the Forum on New Hampshire's Future from 1978 through 1980.

A resident of North Hampton, New Hampshire, Ms. Newman received her B.A. degree in sociology from St. Joseph's College and her M.Ed. degree in higher education administration from The Pennsylvania State University. She has honorary degrees from Rivier College, Notre Dame College, Keene State College, St. Joseph's College, and New Hampshire College. Awards include the University of New Hampshire's Granite State Award for distinguished public service, the Public Relations Society's Yankee Award for outstanding accomplishment as a public relations professional, the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire's Lifetime Achievement Award for professional, community, and state-wide leadership, the New England Council's Leadership Award to Women in Business, the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus Abigail Adams Award for her commitment to the political, economic and social advancement of women and in 2005 she was named an Alumni Fellow by The Pennsylvania State University.  

---

by: political chowder @ Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 03:15:21 AM CST

That is so sweet of you! (0.00 / 0)

But if you knew me, you would know no one forces me to do anything! So you don't have to be "concerned" about me :)

Backroom deals?  Looks to me like everyone is being very open here - with both the Governor and Senator Gregg issuing public statements yesterday saying exactly what is taking place.

Rebuilding a party?  If you have been following the comments of the various respected national and state professional political analysts who have been commenting on this, they seem to be in unanimous agreement that Gregg's departure to the cabinet makes it a much better pickup chance for the Democrats in '010. With the exception of you, of course. And, if you have read any of the comments coming from Republicans in various blogs and comments in the newspapers, many, if not most, believe that regg's departure means that it is unlikely that they can keep the seat.

And, while you might find it difficult to believe that someone would keep their word, if the person were to give their word that they won't run again? While it is true that there have been times that people don't keep their promises, thereby necessitating the judiciary system, it seems that as a rule people do tend to keep their promises. Even in the political setting. Look at President Obama - he promised to put Republicans in his cabinet. And he is keeping the promise.    

In any event, if Craig Benson had appointed a Democrat who supported him to the United States senate in 2003, do you really think that would have helped the Democratic Party? Nope.



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

---

by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 06:40:53 AM CST

[ Parent ]

It seems that some observers want to assume (4.00 / 2)

Ms. Newman is different from all the candidates who've pledged to serve a limited number of terms and then found themselves so valuable that they just have to run again.  Maine Senator Susan Collins, for example.  And has anyone thought to ask the Governor or Ms. Newman whether she'd pledge not to run for other high office?  It would be unfortunate (or maybe inexcusable) if Governor Lynch's appointment were the key to creating a credible Republican opponent for Carol Shea-Porter in 2010 and a revived GOP in New Hampshire.

---

by: bdbd @ Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 07:09:10 AM CST

[ Parent ]

bdbd - You're Right On (0.00 / 0)

We are contributing to rebuilding the New Hampshire Republican Party, and the legacy and resume of Judd Gregg if he decides to go further after Cabinet Member/Commerce Secretary.  

They won this one, and they're the ones really smiling.  

---

by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 18:02:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Gregg voted to abolish Dept of Commerce?? (4.00 / 3)

In 1995. Now he's going to head it?
What is going on here!

No'm Sayn?

---

by: BurtCohen @ Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 09:41:17 AM CST

Yes, he did. (4.00 / 3)

Linky.

"The call - it's coming from inside the house!"

---

by: elwood @ Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 09:45:19 AM CST

[ Parent ]