A What if Moment: What if Gov. of NH appointed a Republican to the Senate to replace Gregg

[FrenchieCat]

Who a short while later became an Indepedent or a Democrat? Who would have the last laugh then? :shrug:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/1/31/15630/1401/151/691411

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/01/for-democrats-best-choice-may-be.html

[4lbs]

1. You mean, like, oh, say, a RINO?

;)

[FrenchieCat]

2. Aye. There is a list of folks at the link.

I realize that this isn't necessarily what would happen, but the strongest on the list did endorse Barack Obama during the election.

Also, in caucusing with Republicans, an Obama allie gives him ears where he currently doesn't have any.

Jeffords certainly did not go down in flames due to his choosing to "turn" on the Republicans.

[w4rma]

3. And this guy gets to be ears for the Republicans in Obama's cabinet. No thanks. (nt)

[FrenchieCat]

6. Obama operates in the open,

So I doubt there would be be any secrets that Gregg would be privy to, that no one else would. As for Political plans, the Cabinet is not the place to get that information.

[DJ13]

4. I think any Democratic Governor who appoints a Republican

....wouldnt remain Governor in the upcoming reelection.

[FrenchieCat]

5. I'm not so sure about that.

It really would depend on what happens in the long view.

Selecting a Republican who switches to Independent status, could possibly leave the large multitude of New Hampshire Indies, and Democrats loving the Gov and his decision.

[Barack_America]

8. I don't know about that, but it might mean that Governor is the end of the road...

...for that person, politically speaking. At least with the Democratic party.

[alcibiades_mystery]

7. What do you mean what if. He most certainly will do just that

[Phx_Dem]

9. I found this part of Nate Silver's post intriguing.

He's speaking of Liz Hager, the pro-choice, pro-government moderate-bordering-on-liberal Republican who is interested in the seat, but who likely would not be able to hold on to it in the next election, giving the Dems another Republican-seat pickup.

Her appointment would really stick it to the Republicans.

Hager's appointment would furthermore deprive the Republicans the opportunity to claim that the Democrats had a filibuster-proof monopoly on power. And yet, at a time when their party is struggling to formulate anything resembling a majority coalition, they would seem to have little choice but to accept her, as her appointment would be the result of a Democratic President and Democratic Governor each having taken the unorthodox step of reaching across party lines to select a Republican. The Republicans could, of course, complain with ample justification that Hager was a RINO, but in so doing they would appear immoderate and intolerant at a time when the pretense of moderation and postpartisanship is the name of the game. They might also risk alienating Snowe and Collins, without whose votes the Republicans already lack the power to sustain a filibuster.

[brianna69]

10. No republican please

I don't trust any republican period. If a democrat isn't appointed Gregg should not get the commerce post. No republican can be trusted. We tried being bipartisan and all we got was a slap in the face. They need to appoint a democrat so we can make the senate fillibuster proof.

[Raven]

11. This is all bullshit. Lynch has to appoint a Dem or else Gregg doesn;' get the job.

If it turns out differently, I'll be amazed.