dupe; please delete

[CatWoman]

There is a strong possibility that Barack Obama will ask Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) to serve as his Secretary of Commerce, Democratic Senate aides tell the Huffington Post.

The move would fill a vacancy that has lingered since Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his nomination. And provided that Al Franken emerges victorious in the Minnesota recount, it would give Democrats in the Senate a 60th caucusing member, as New Hampshire's Democratic governor John Lynch would appoint Gregg's replacement.

Asked for a response, White House spokesman, Bill Burton, in an email to the Huffington Post, said the "president hasn't made a pick yet."

The potential of Gregg leaving the Senate will almost certainly set off an intense lobbying effort from his fellow Republican senators to persuade him to turn down the Commerce post. Already, a GOP operative writes in to say: "No way that Gregg takes it."


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/29/judd-gregg-commerce-secre_n_162378.html