New Hampshire's top three spots may be filled by Democrats soon. Governor Lynch (D) and Senator Shaheen (D) could be bidding farewell to (pictured at left) Senator Gregg (R) as Obama is reportedly tapping him to take the job Bill Richardson was forced to turn down, Commerce Secretary. Gregg is likely to take the job because as four retiring Republican Senators have reiterated, it's no fun being the minority party.
While this blog supports Senator Feingold's proposed Constitutional amendment that would ban appointments and keep seats vacant until a special election could be held and while it will most likely go from a proposed amendment to a regular amendment very quickly (should be named the Blagojevich/Patterson amendment), Governor Lynch still has the power to appoint Gregg's successor if he accepts and is confirmed.
So assuming Senator-elect Al Franken prevails in Minnesota courts and assuming the Senate approves of Gregg, the Senate Democrats will reach the magic number of sixty that would be the last of Republican power in the legislative branch.
Gregg might also choose to accept the appointment because he is likely to end up like citizen Sununu if he subjects himself to a re-election bid. New Hampshire has moved pretty far to the left in recent years. In 1998, Jean Shaheen became governor by 17 points and won re-election twice (NH strangely has two year terms)...one of those two re-elections by more than a two to one margin. She bested Sununu in a rematch in 2008.
And current Governor Lynch managed to unseat a two-term (so four year) Governor Benson and Lynch now has a 73% approval rating (even more than President Obama). With that unbelievably high regard for its Democratic leaders, NH is unlikely to vote in favor of Gregg's re-election in 2010.
No comments:
Post a Comment