YOUR COMMENTS

The stimulus plan was passed by the Senate on a vote of 60 to 38 on Friday, February 13, not on Tuesday, February 10, as stated in this article.

The Tuesday vote to which the article referred was the cloture vote that limited debate, enabling the vote on final passage to occur on Friday.
- Joe Rogozinski, Oxford, Wisconsin

University of New Hampshire political science professor Dante Scala's claim that "If Gregg were not in the Senate, the threshold needed to break a GOP filibuster and invoke cloture would have been reduced from 60 to 59 votes" is in error and should be corrected.
From the Congressional Research Service report of 2005 on cloture, "In 1975, the majority required for invoking cloture on most matters, including nominations, was changed from two-thirds of Senators present and voting to three-fifths of the full membership of the Senate (normally 60). This change in the rules generally meant that the threshold for invoking cloture was lowered; if all 100 Senators participated in the vote, the previous rule required the votes of 67 to invoke cloture, the new rule required 60 votes, regardless of how many Senators participated.
- Joe Rogozinski, Oxford Wisconsin

Not being able vote with the Southern Segregationist wing of the RepubliCon Party, PRICELESS.

New Hampshire Republicons teaming up with Mississippi Republicons to save the economy...hurl...
- Boris, Dalton

Let Senator Gregg be the one to realize his win or loss by defering a vote on the stimulus pkg. Me personally I think that he should have voted.
Showing you will not give up core principals to accept a position in a Federal cabinet is true grit.

John G., Manchester
- J A Gramatikas, Manchester,NH

Just another example to prove what I've been saying form months ... Gregg is useless, clueless, and is long past his usefulness as a representative for New Hampshire taxpayers. Begone to Commerce, JG ... sooner will still not be soon enough.
- Dick Patterson, HUdson, NH

This is a true reflection of what generations of political families gets a state. We don't need term limits we need a better political gene pool.

Throw the bums out!!!!
- ALD, Litchfield

Abstaining from votes while he awaits his confirmation hearing for a Presidential Cabinet position...resign? No spine? Wow. You people are absolutely crazy. Judd, and his family, have done a lot for NH. He is doing the right thing by not creating a conflict of interest. If he gets denied the position then he will go on voting. If he receives confirmation then he will resign. Black and white.
- Eric, Portsmouth, NH

Gregg should resign if he is not going to represent us. The people of NH are being denied our right to have our voice heard in Washington. He should vote or resign from office now.
- Stacie Kiczuk, Amherst, NH

Why complain? As as I can tell, the world would be a better place if he never voted.
- Jack, Franconia

Gregg should retain his seat and vote according to his principles. If we believe Obama, he nominated Gregg knowing that Gregg would have opinions that differed from his own. If Gregg had any principles, he would vote his conscience and let Obama live with it or retract the nomination. Clearly the latter choice would be political suicide for Obama, so Gregg's appointment would likely be safe.

In the end it would be win-win.

If the appointment is approved, Gregg would get to say that he is a man of principle and Obama would get to say that his cabinet is open to alternative points of view.

If the appointment is not approved, Gregg would get to say that he did not compromise in the face of a Democratic President and retain some credibility with the GOP.
- Dan, Auburn

Gregg should quit NOW if he isn't going to do his job and vote. NH residents are not getting their rightful representation.

Representation aside, if he isn't going to work for his constituents, he should show a bit of loyalty to his prospective new boss.

I've always considered this guy to be a "me first" politician, and currently, he is surely demonstrating that.

You chose to leave Judd .... now get the hell out of the way!!
- Doug McCaig, Vero Beach, FL

this is a guy who held a sick woman to the P&S of one of his homes until public scrutiny made him back down where he meekly explained that he had no idea. Right. But it wasn't true.

He's got no charisma.
He's got no clue.
He's got no spine.

Washington deserves him to mess things up further. You can bet on it.
They - Obama and Gregg - deserve each other.
- RG, Manch

Bill Howard, the consent of the governed no longer applies? What the heck are you talking about. We just had an election where President Obama won an overwhelming majority of votes and States. I think it's safe to say he has the consent of the governed. It's the minority that is doing all the whining, and it's also the minority that caused our current economic crisis. If Bush hadn't been selected by the Republican majority on the Supreme Court, and instead had let the Florida votes be counted (like they do in real democracies) we wouldn't be in this mess right now.

Consent of the governed? Don't make me laugh.
- Mike Lane, Manchester

We're talking about a guy who had his father get him a medical deferment (bad acne) from military service during Viet Nam. It should of been for lack of spine which our illustrious senator proves time and time again.
- Dennis, Derry

Gregg can always be counted on to do whatever is best for Gregg. We shouldn't be surprised that he was recruited by Washington's left-winging majority; after all, they made sure he won his last election by making Granny D their nominee. And of course Gregg will stop raising his voice on the Senate floor. He might, inadvertently, offend his new leader. What a total zero you are, Gregg.
- George Edmunds, North Sutton

Who can blame him for not resigning his seat until confirmed for the new job. Would you quit your job before you had a new one lined up and guaranteed that you had it?

And no I am no Judd Gregg fan, far from it.
- JR, Manchester

What is the difference between an "abstain" and a "no" vote? Nothing. This was the right thing to do. He did sell out to the Bush administraation- I hope Gregg has enough NH values to clean up something in Washington.
- Belinda, Peterborough NH

If you're in a position, you perform the duties of that position until you are no longer in that position.

Is Gregg worried about hurting Obama's feelings? Obama wasn't worried about hurting Gregg's feelings when he took the Census away from him, was he?

Tool.
- Tom, Campton

Did anyone think Sen. Juddy was all of a sudden going to grow a spine. That's why he was picked. No spine or convictions.
- Bob H, Londonderry

Gregg is a sellout and Obama played him like a fiddle.
Lets hope Sununu runs for his seat in 2010.
- Greg L, Hudson NH

Come on, he represents us, the People!!!
The same people who paid the millions of dollars of salary he took advanatge serving us the last twenty or more years. He is one of kind, I hope the likes of him does not ever happen in NH again, Political Aristocratic family. Got out of serving in the military and now got out of voting for the People of New Hampshire. Good Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Jack Truman, Middleton

Sen Gregg - You are doing exactly the right thing in staying above the this party squabble at perhaps the most critical period since the Great Depression. Inyour new cabinet position, continue to present your obvious statesman-like qualities to work for the benefit of ALL the people of this great nation. Stnd by your guns sir - your wisdom and forebearance are sorely needed now.
- k g ries, fitzwilliam

The stimulus vote passed overwhelmingly – Gregg’s vote would not have mattered. This is a contrived dilemma foisted on us to obscure the fact that Obama is failing.

His nominations are better known for breaking the law than any real accomplishment. The Iranian President held the One’s letter up for international mockery and called it proof the US had become “weak.” He received no GOP support in the House for the stimulus package and only the GOP’s weakest links in the Senate.

The issue here is not Judd Gregg. It is Obama. GOP leaders need to focus on what matters.
- William Simpson, Concord

Gregg better hope he gets confirmed because his political future in NH is very dim. Can everyone say, Senator Paul Hodes...yippee! Who broke into my house while I was sleeping and moved me to Massachusetts?
- Steve, Derry

Gregg has joined the dominating socialists who believe that consent of the governed no longer applies.

Control of the country has passed to a one-party, small group of privileged who rule for their own benefit.

A trillion here, a trillion there.... the looting of the treasury will soon be seen as "normal" buy the sheeple who have been marginalized by a corrupt media.

Gregg wants a piece of the action.
- Bill Howard, Exeter

You do the job you have until you have the job you want. He is not a part of the cabinet yet and therefore his job is as a senator from NH right now. If he won't do his job, he needs to step down. There is no conflict of interest here. And what Mr. Rudman is suggesting is nothing more than butt kissing. There are no guarantee's that he will be seated as Commerce Secretary, he's been nominated. Well alot of nominees haven't been seated. He put the cart before the horse.
- Dawn, Hudson (FL)

Alright, lets use our brains a little. Gregg is obviously not going to resign his Senate seat until he is actually confirmed for his new job.

He has no guarantee that he will be confirmed, and no sane person, and certainly no politician, would hang themselves out to dry like that.
- Thad, Dalton

Well Republicans have no one to blame but themselves for not holding those they elect to keep to Republican beliefs and allowing the party to compromise those beliefs. Even democrats like it when their taxes go down believe it or not and the Republican party has been spending and growing government.

Let's not make the same mistakes as the Democrats and give blind loyalty to the party no matter what they do. Everyone can see there is corruption and a lot of arrogance in the Democrat party at the moment because democrats don't hold them accountable but instead allow them selves to be focused on the evil Republicans. If we focus only on the Democrat party we will not do our own any good when it runs out of control. It is best to keep ones own house in order rather than focusing on your neighbors house. It's a lesson Democrats are going to learn very quickly I believe and maybe then we can get rational minds elected and politicians who are what they claim to be.
- Ross, Derry

I think it's called "Politics". No courage and No character..self serving..Sen. Gregg !! Thank you for your Past support. Now no need !!
- Bob, Meredith

One can only wonder who else would Judd sell his soul to? That's the mettle of the man!
- Dennis, Merrimack, NH

Gregg is a dunce anyway. Really what has he done for NH? Gregg should resign now. He does not deserve to be paid. Obama will rule the day he picked Gregg.
- Scott, Durham,NH

Coward. Quit quivering under the bed and take a stand.
- Don, Berlin

Note the difference. A Republican follows a high-minded principle which, unfortunately, none of his constituents can discern. The Democrats contrive to remove the Republican from the US Senate while detaching from his new job any control over the 2010 Census that they plan to manipulate.

Note another difference: Fran Wendelboe (who believes in things) is troubled by this development; Warren Rudman (who doesn't) understands the Senator's "quandary." Which is the future of the Republican Party?
- Spike, Brentwood NH

There is an $800B bill on the floor, right now. New Hampshire citizens have a definite opinion on it. And they only have half a voice expressing it.

This bill spends more money than was spent in the entire Iraq War. Spending for the Iraq War was not allocated in one, $800B bill. Bush repeatedly came before the Congress for new allocations. The President cannot spend any money.

This fundamental fact about government spending eludes the aloof Senator Gregg. His self-serving quest for the Commerce position has blinded him to the duties he holds as a sitting Senator. It is paramount that he choose between the two jobs, and that he do so immediately.
- Steve, Manch

I think Greg should have either done the job he is paid to do or resign. He should have stood up and been counted and vote. How many times can a "normal" worker miss roll cole 28 times and still keep their job? Only in government. What a mess.
- Craig, Derry

Simply said Judas Gregg has been a weeny and will continue to be one.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester

We are dissapointed! We voted for Judd and he has deserted us in a time of major crisis.
VERY BAD DECISION NOT TO VOTE!
- cleverdave, madison

I guess we know now whom he is realy
working for. Not us!
- Pete Newbury, Portsmouth

I think Bob from Milford and Ed Holdgate are right. This is just more proof that Republicans have no integrity and when the going gets tough they look for greener pastures. Sadly, New Hampshire Republicans are finding out first hand that members of the GOP are out for themselves and stand for nothing. Judd Gregg is a socialist/Marxist and now he's palling around with a terrorist.

Way to go Republicans!
- Mike Lane, Manchester

Well this is nothing new for Judd. He is about himself and is a fine example of the folks that the new President is choosing to help him run our government. I think he should immediately step down and let someone who cares to represent us. I am so anxious for the "Judd era" to be over. You want to know why the Democrats are taking over the state, it is because of Republicans like Judd. Just hold your nose until he leaves the room and move on. I am sure he will do an "outstanding" job in the cabinet. You might want to check to see if he has paid his taxes because most of the folks nominated have not.
- Gary, Mont Vernon

Judd, who I probably would not for again, should do the right thing, resign immediately and not take his salary after all he is not earning it.
- Jim Shuff, freedom

Proof positive.....Judd is the "token" Republican in the Obama administration.....
- Doug Glenn, Londonderry

Senator Gregg at least owes those of us who voted for him an explanation for his actions. Given the momentus decisions being voted on in Washington, that will affect the nation for many years, we should be represented by two senators in Congress, not one liberal weenie and one lame duck sequestered in his office!
- John Linville, Wolfeboro

Once again we see clearly just who it is our "leaders" actually serve: Themselves.
- Chabis, Peterborough

I'm no Democrat but Kathy Sullivan is right. Gregg should resign if he isn't going to do his job as senator.

I think it was an awful and totally selfish mistake for him to decide to work for Obama. Obama is a marxist fraud and Gregg has spit in the face of the people of NH by leaving before his term is up.

Senator Gregg, you have disgraced yourself sir. Resign now and go beg for table scraps at the table of your new master, Obama.

Good riddance to you, you selfish jerk!
- Bob, Milford

I'm no Democrat but Kathy Sullivan is right. Gregg should resign if he isn't going to do his job as senator.

I think it was an awful and totally selfish mistake for him to decide to work for Obama. Obama is a marxist fraud and Gregg has spit in the face of the people of NH by leaving before his term is up.

Senator Gregg, you have disgraced yourself sir. Resign now and go beg for table scraps at the table of your new master, Obama.

Good riddance to you, you selfish jerk!
- Bob, Milford

Of course Gregg should continue to vote, but he is under pressure to follow the New Messiah's examples that landed him the presidency: merely vote "Present" all the time! Senator Gregg is entrusted -- and paid well -- to make the tough decisions, so he should have casted those votes and let the chips fall where they may. Gregg ought to remember Eisenhower's observation: "History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid."
- Ed Holdgate, Sandown, NH