Gregg likely to be tapped as commerce chief, gets backing of No. 2 Senate Republican[SIZE=-1]Judd Gregg, the Republican Senator from New Hampshire, appears to be President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Commerce Department, the Washington Post reported Sunday, and the president has made a good choice, the Senate's number 2 Republican said.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona said that Obama would be making a wise choice by nominating Gregg for Secretary of Commerce.
"t shows a great deal of perspicacity on the part of President Obama to select a guy like Judd Gregg, who is just a phenomenal senator, very bright," Kyl said. "He's our ranking member on the Budget Committee, gives sage advice to us. And if he did go to Commerce, I would miss him greatly. On the other hand, he could make a significant contribution to the Obama administration."
Gregg, the ranking Republican on the banking committee, acknowledged on Friday he was under consideration for the post, and ABC News reports that an announcement could come as soon as Monday.
If Gregg were to join the administration, the balance of power in the Senate could shift further toward the Democrats, whose caucus currently controls 58 Senate seats. New Hampshire's governor, Democrat John Lynch, would *appoint a successor for Gregg. If that successor were to be a Democrat -- and Al Franken wins a court battle over Minnesota's seat -- the Democrats would have the 60 votes necessary to override a filibuster.*
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, however, said on CBS' Face The Nation*that Gregg assured him the balance would not shift if he were to leave the Senate, although McConnell did not offer any specifics.
"Sen. Gregg has told me that if he were to take this appointment, it would not alter the makeup of the Senate in terms of the majority and the minority," McConnell said.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was Obama's first pick to be the Secretary of Commerce but withdrew his name from consideration because of his involvement in an investigation surrounding government contracts in New Mexico.
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