Gregg to Commerce

It’s been rumored, but now we have confirmation: President Obama is adding another Republican to his Cabinet. The White House today confirmed that Obama is going to choose Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire as his commerce secretary. “Senator Gregg is now the leading candidate for commerce and a pick that could come as early as Monday,” a senior administration official tells The New York Times. The selection process for commerce has been slightly scandal-tinged, with Gov. Bill Richardson, Obama’s first pick, withdrawing over a grand jury investigation into state government contracts. Gregg would be the third Republican in Obama’s Cabinet, joining Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood. The pick could also give Democrats a filibuster-proof 60 seats in the Senate, if Al Franken of Minnesota is seated and New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, picks a member of his own party to replace Gregg in the Senate.