Commerce secretary pick #3 has skeletons in his closet

President Obama is said to be positioning former Washington Gov. Gary Locke as Commerce Secretary, his third choice after the withdrawal of Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) and Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH).

But there's trouble brewing with Gary Locke, stemming from his brother-in-law in 2002:

LET'S SAY YOU'RE Gov. Gary Locke's brother-in-law. You bunk at the governor's mansion. You commute to your nearby job as an executive of a private technology firm.

During your two years with the firm, the governor signs a bill giving your company a tax break, personally intervenes in a dispute involving your company, shows up for a party there, and signs a federal loan application for your company, whose founders—your bosses—pay at least two visits to the mansion.

At the same time, your company rakes in millions in state aid, lands a fat state technology contract, and is allowed to use government credit authority to float new loans (an authority illegally granted, as a state auditor's report will reveal this week).

Are you getting gubernatorial favors that average citizens don't get?

Come on, President Obama. You can do better than this?!

Gregg withdraws as commerce secretary nominee

In a surprising development and a blow to the Obama administration, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) has decided not to be part of the President's cabinet due to policy disagreements. I applaud Sen. Gregg's action based on his principles -- in times like this we need more politicians like him!

Of course, the Leftosphere now labels him "right-wing."

Strike two: Daschle out

Strike one: Bill Richardson withdrew from Commerce Secratary candidacy.

Strike two: Tom Daschle today withdraws from Health and Human Services Secretary over a $100,000 tax "mistake."

So far President Obama's cabinet nominees and their approval have seen many bumps in the process...

Obama names GOP senator for Commerce Secretary

After being let down by New Mexico Gov. and former presidential candidate Bill Richardson, President Obama now wants Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) to join his administration as Commerce Secretary. Gregg is a fairly low-profile Senator, but evidently is a well-trusted Republican politician.

By luring away a Republican in the Senate, of course, generates a lot of buzz whether President Obama and the Democrats are playing a political hand to achieve the elusive 60-seat filibuster-proof majority. New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is a Democrat, and typically the governor appoints a replacement from his own party. However, Gov. Lynch has pledged that another Republican would be named to fill Gregg's seat. Would Lynch mess with the balance of power in appointing a RINO (Republican In Name Only)?

Additionally, is Gregg's appointment as Secretary of Commerce a back-scratching to Senate Republicans regarding the passage of the massive stimulus bill?

Commerce secretary seat now open

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson announced his withdrawal to be Obama's commerce secretary citing a federal investigation of how some of his political donors won a major state contract.

So there's the Blagojevich mess, and now this embarrassment. It's not even that close to Inauguration Day yet!

No love from anyone for Big Auto

Wow, even the Democrats are giving Big Auto a hard time! The CEOs have appeared before Congressmen to beg for a bailout loan to no avail. Then today the Democrats voted to oust John Dingell (D-Mich.) from chairmanship of the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce, replaced by Representative Henry Waxman (D-Calif.).

Dingell was chairman for almost 28 years and one of Big Auto's best friends in Congress. His removal from the committee sends a clear signal that Pelosi and friends are ready to impose stricter regulations in the auto industry and align with the environmentalists. Rep. Waxman has always been a supporter of legislation to curb global warming, and this latest move in House politics will be welcomed by many environmentalists.