The Judd Gregg equivalent of stupified. Steve Benen is right; something weird is going on. The reasons that Senator Gregg offered for his decision to withdraw make little sense. Benen's post lists them, but, in general, everything Gregg said was true back when he took the job and those factors made no difference then. By the by, how would you like to be the poor woman in New Hampshire who was Senator-designate for, what, a day? Wonder if Gregg had the decency to call her?
Only one thing makes sense. The Republicans have decided to treat the start of Barack Obama's administration the same way they treated the start of Bill Clinton's first term. No cooperation. No honeymoon. Scorched earth. Hope for the failure of the president. So, they put enormous pressure on Gregg to quit and, unlike Ray LaHood or Bob Gates, Gregg has no integrity.
Obama's best response, I think, is to continue to display courtesy in public and to work around or through them behind the scenes to address national problems. It's becoming clear that the Republicans need one more election cycle pounding before they come to their senses. If that can ever happen.
I say the latter not to make fun of Republicans, although that is a good time, but to highlight the problems with the current electoral map. Most Republican Senators and Representatives do not have to live with the consequences of their actions. They represent southern states, small western states, or gerrymandered congressional districts. They can act as if Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh have veto authority over Republican party policy (which they apparently do) and it just won't matter.
Of course, that's not going to do much for the party's national prospects. But that doesn't seem to concern the Confederate flaggers at all.
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