Gregg Expects to Vote ‘No’ on Stimulus,Downplays Concerns Over Census
EmailABC News’ Teddy Davis reports: Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., withdrew from consideration for Commerce Secretary at a Feb. 12, 2009, press conference on Capitol Hill.
Ferdous Al-Faruque/ ABC News Barack Obama’s erstwhile pick to run the Commerce Department said Friday he expects to vote against the president’s stimulus package when it comes to a vote in the United States Senate. "I presume I will be, yes," Gregg told CNBC’s "Squawk Box" when asked if he would be voting against the stimulus. "I haven’t made a final statement on that, but that’s philosophically where I probably am." Gregg discussed his inclination to vote against the president’s stimulus plan one day after announcing that he was withdrawing his name from consideration to be United States Secretary of Commerce. In a written statement released Thursday, Gregg identified the stimulus and the census as two "irresolvable conflicts" with the Obama administration. But when Gregg was specifically asked at a Thursday press conference how he would vote on the stimulus, he deflected, saying, "Well, can I save that for tomorrow when we vote on the stimulus bill?" Back on Feb. 4, Gregg said that he would not be voting on the stimulus bill, or any other legislation, while he was under consideration for Commerce Secretary. In Friday’s CNBC interview, Gregg critiqued the stimulus by saying that a "tactical error" was made in allowing "the appropriators" to write it. He said this made it "unfocused" and "disjointed" although he also said that the stimulus has gotten better as it has gone forward. Asked how the stimulus could be re-worked in order to win his support, Gregg said: "They don’t need to rework it now. They got their votes." When asked if White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel was going to try to "hijack" the census for partisan purposes, Gregg said: "That’s a good question. We’ll have to see what happens. The way it was explained to me was that it was — the census would still report to the Commerce Secretary, but the White House wanted to have a major interest in the census process also." Asked if he felt comfortable with that, Gregg said, "I actually hadn’t concluded as to how that was going to play out, to be honest with you. I thought that when I got there, I could probably straighten that out if it was a problem." He then added that he was "a little surprised, in fact, disappointed, that some of the groups basically prejudged" his ability to manage the Commerce Department before he even got there. When Obama first nominated Gregg to head the Commerce Department, the Congressional Black Caucus and an organization representing Hispanic elected officials publicly raised questions about whether Gregg could be trusted not to undercount minorities. In his CNBC interview, Gregg voiced confidence in Ken Pruitt, the person whom the White House has proposed to manage the census. Gregg worked with Pruitt in 2000 when the New Hampshire senator chaired a congressional committee with oversight over the Commerce Department. "I thought he did an excellent job," said Gregg. "I think the people in place will do a good census, and we’ll have to wait and see." Update: Gregg: ‘Stimulus Measure Falls Short’ At 5:49 pm ET, Gregg released an official statement, "Stimulus Measure Falls Short," explaining why he decided to vote against the stimulus bill on Friday evening. See below for the full text of Gregg’s written statement: "Our country is facing one of the greatest economic challenges of our lifetime, and I believe sizable action is needed to help our economy begin moving forward again. Today, the American people are worried about their jobs, home values, retirement savings, and Main Street businesses, and we need an economic plan that brings immediate relief, creates jobs, and strengthens American production to get our nation back on course." "However, I am concerned that this so-called stimulus bill falls short of what is needed. What was initially advertised as a well-intended effort to boost economic growth has become sidetracked by misplaced spending and lack of attention to the true problems facing the nation, especially housing. Massive amounts of money will be spent years after this bill is signed into law, thereby undermining claims that it is stimulative. Also, the bill’s tax relief provisions will not adequately spur investment and business activity, which are critical for job creation and economic growth." "This bill, therefore, is not timely, targeted, and temporary, which is what a stimulus bill should be. And with a deteriorating budget situation, we cannot afford a proposal that will saddle future generations with massive amounts of debt with little to show for it in return." ABC News’ Z. Byron Wolf and Ferdous Al-Faruque contributed to this report.
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Gregg was a Republican ringer to try to get into the Obama administration and control the census in 2010.
It was Gregg who asked to join the Obama administration and he was a GOP mole.
Posted by: Amoreena | February 13, 2009, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
So now Obama says that the economic recovery will be measured in years not months. Wait a minute. That’s not what he promised us during his campaign just a few short months ago. He said hope not fear. He said jobs now not unemployment for years. What a joke.
Posted by: don | February 13, 2009, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
No man trusts another man who is hiding information.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=81550
Posted by: Mike | February 13, 2009, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
He also told the “mom and pops” of American small business that he would give them a break. He lied. There is NOT ONE penny going in this Stimulus Package to America’s small business owners to survive.
Posted by: Mike | February 13, 2009, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
chump…can’t get over himself to work for all the people. there’s doom in the rethuglican party if you stray too far from rudh limbaugh
Posted by: learning | February 13, 2009, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
No one trusts a man that is hiding information.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=81550
Posted by: Mike | February 13, 2009, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
Any thinking American will vote no on this obscene democrat pet project spending spree being used as a drawn out campaign stimulus for 2010 and 2012!
We don’t have a president – we have an arrogant, obfuscating salesman who wings it using fear-mongering and lies! :(
It is embarrassing to keep seeing and hearing this guy on TV ads!
We need a president who knows how to lead! Step down if you can’t hack it Obama!
Posted by: aware2u | February 13, 2009, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
Gregg is an ass……………..
Posted by: NH voter | February 13, 2009, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
“It was Gregg who asked to join the Obama administration ”
False..
Obambi came out with that story after Gregg dumped Obama
before that , both gregg and obambi said obambi sought out gregg
Posted by: verdinet | February 13, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
Leaving the census that decides redistricting (along Democratic lines) to the White House is just another way for the majority party (in this case Democrats) to rig the election even further; beyond the Diebold voting machines. And yet not even a whisper from the public. You can count on things getting worse, if you can’t or will not even hold them accountable for such blatant bipartisan FRAUD!!!
Posted by: hmn... | February 13, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
Party line all the way just like all true neocons. Republicans are becomning more disgusting (if possible) by the nano second. God forbid they do anything that would be for the country or the taxpayer – it’s just not in their DNA to help people. Ther only interst is money and themselves gaining undue power! Boggles the mind!
Posted by: eyeonyou | February 13, 2009, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
The sheep has returned the flock. I swear Republicans abandon independent thought when they join the party.
Posted by: indy_voter | February 13, 2009, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
How the republicans are crowing that Gregg leaving is a victory for them is beyond me. Gregg is leaving over a stimulus plan that is already a done deal? Obama picks Gregg to further bipartisanship and get a diverse cabinet, is accepted, and then gets rebuffed? Gregg would have had a voice in the administration and even a chance of changing some things towards repubs down the road. The repubs seem more interested in discrediting a popular president with 68% approval in the gallup polls currently. Obama has shown a willingness to listen to people on both sides so far, and the Repubs picked their battles they could actually get some minor accomplishments that might help this country even while the dems are in power.
Posted by: Ordermonger | February 13, 2009, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
hmn:”Leaving the census that decides redistricting (along Democratic lines) to the White House is just another way for the majority party (in this case Democrats) to rig the election even further;”
The census has ALWAYS been under the control of the White House. Were you in the country in 2000 when Clinton was in the midst of the census procedure fights? Do you have even a rudimentary understanding of the Executive Branch org chart and who has always been at the top of it?
Posted by: jhw539 | February 13, 2009, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Obama and the democrats may set a dangerous precedent with the power grap to politicize the Census. One of the things that attracted me to obama was to break from the flagrant political self serving of the GOP with Bush, Rove, Cheney and Gonzales.
The Hope that the Obama administration would be different is fast fading. It looks as if the liberals and Pelosi are the ones calling the shots in the Obama white hosue and grabbing every bit of power and money they can while they can.
What a sad way to start of this supposedly new era. the 2010 elections ccannot come fast enough.
Posted by: scott jeffries | February 13, 2009, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
Of course, I wouldn’t have expected anything more, no wonder he is retiring!!
The Republicans are acting ridiculous, I remember when Bush called people unpatriotic; but, this goes to a nasty extreme — this is exactly why people voted for Obama and he will succeed without the GOP.
Posted by: paulet | February 13, 2009, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
well america got a good clear look at which party is unwilling to make an effort..not that it was ever in doubt that the republicans wouldn’t try..look the 3 republicans that tried-GOT consessions-no its not going to be a republican wish list-they gave all the goodies away to their corporate and financial friends and no-bid government contracts…so the rest of the republicans that refused to compromise got nothing for their constituents-i’d be mad if i was one…Tim Pawlenty said he was going to take the money for his state even tho he didn’t support the bill…I say..republicans stand by your principles…refuse to take the money…
Posted by: cowgirl | February 13, 2009, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
Sen. Gregg withdrew because (1) Obama’s chutzpah crossed the line and (2) Obama CANNOT put away his “birth certificate” issue.
1. Here’s the chutzpah: The Republicans didn’t get their act together enough to challenge Obama for not being constitutionally qualified to be President as an Article 2 “natural born citizen” so Obama’s White House steals the census from the Commerce Department against the specific instructions of the constitution itself — “actual enumeration” under Article 1.
2. Here’s the “birth certificate” issue: Since Obama’s earnest drive to convince the nation to weaken its economic strength through redistribution as well as weaken its national defense, COUPLED WITH HIS UNPRECEDENTED WHITE HOUSE TAKEOVER OF DECENNIAL CENSUS TAKING FROM THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT, has confirmed the very threats to our Republic’s survival that the Constitution was designed to avert, it no longer is sustainable for the United States Supreme Court to refrain from exercising WHAT IS ITS ABSOLUTE CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO DEFEND THE NATION FROM UNLAWFUL USURPATION. The questions of Obama’s Kenyan birth and his father’s Kenyan/British citizenship (admitted on his own website) have been conflated by his sustained unwillingnes to supply his long form birth certificate now under seal, and compounded by his internet posting of a discredited ‘after-the-fact’ short form ‘certificate’. In the absence of these issues being acknowledged and addressed, IT IS MANIFEST THAT OBAMA REMAINS INELIGIBLE TO BE PRESIDENT UNDER ARTICLE 2 OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. Being a 14th Amendment ‘citizen’ is not sufficient. A ‘President’ MUST BE an Article 2 ‘natural born citizen’ AS DEFINED BY THE FRAMERS’ INTENT.
Posted by: Ted | February 13, 2009, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
Gregg is a coward who caves in to pressure from other cowards. He is incapable of greatness. What a disappointment.
Posted by: carol | February 13, 2009, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
Can you say flip flop? Unfortunately, this label will be his on his forehaed from now on next to the letter “L”. He had a great opportunity to play with the other side and push his agenda, but he got cold feet because the rest of the Reb party is like a deer in the headlights and wouldn’t back him. Good luck!
Posted by: abcbox | February 13, 2009, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
By voting no Gregg is showing that he doesn’t care about the United States and is a traitor to this country. His only goals are personal and he wants to hurt the first black president in American History. He doesn’t even care about the consequences. Shame on Sen. Gregg and he has shown himself to be a racist and a traitor. ANother seat the Dem’s will pick up next election because of his ideology.
Posted by: Rick | February 13, 2009, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
Time to go on strike people!
http://www.middleofright.com/2009/02/is-it-time-to-go-on-strike-to-fix.html
We can’t let America turn into a nanny state.
Posted by: Michael | February 13, 2009, 9:15 pm 9:15 pm
Gregg is the worse kind of politician… the hypocrite who got busted pandering for a new job. He will end up on K Street, working for a lobbyist, with his head in the lap of his former colleagues. Obama dodged a bullet.
Posted by: Steve from Danville | February 13, 2009, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm
Ted: please go back to Planet Nut Job with your right wing conspiracy theories. Your fantasy world was invented by another nut job when he was sniffing glue and playing with himself. If you’re going to emulate someone emulate a person who owns 100% of his marbles. Good luck.
Posted by: Steve from Danville | February 13, 2009, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm
As a UK observer I think the president is doing a great job. The impact on our democracy is that our politician have suddenly received a lifeline.
I have read some of the comments above and i feel politicians have a right to change their minds. He was nominated not confirmed.
I will invite you all to visit the link below – this I feel is the key objective of the President.
Hoyer on Bipartisanship
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid5173139001/bclid1201016315/bctid11881341001
I am confident that you have a good president in the White House
Posted by: Hopeinthehumanrace | February 13, 2009, 10:18 pm 10:18 pm
“…Well, a thing about that evil empire…” Raraavis: You’re certainly entitled to your viewpoint, as I am. I didn’t think they were brilliant, nor funny. They were cruel to so many people here, and many left because of them. I was warned many a time to let them be, let VT take care of it or I’d be one of them. I will admit here publicly that I fought the good fight, I wanted them gone, as well as many others. I’m glad that they are gone. It was ugly beyond ugly for a lot of good people, including myself, and there are several here that have emailed me personally and told me as much.
Posted by: ,. | February 14, 2009, 3:15 am 3:15 am
One more thing about the census, a few years ago the Census bureau spent about a Billion dollars on automating the 2010 census. So Census takers would have hand held computers to go door to door. This also included regional and national computer centers and systems to recieved and process the results. This effort failed and was cancelled do to supposedly poor performance of the contractor during the demonstration. Now they are going back to paper. The real cause of the failure was poor management at the Census bureau, then run by the Bush adminstration. I worked on this effort, and my view of the situation was the Government had every intention that this effort would fail. The contract had ever changing requirements, and it certainly looked like that the Government was sabotaging its own effort during the demonstration effort that was required. Result was less money available to conduct the census and reliance on paper whose error rate would be substantially higher. The real result will ulitmately be the undercounting of minorities, and greater Republican representation than they would otherwise be entitled.
Posted by: Rich | February 14, 2009, 11:05 am 11:05 am
The lines for representation in the House are drawn by the states not by the White House or anyone else from Washington. Commerce is supposed to take the census. Commerce is part of the administration, the secretary being appointed by the President. The President does have oversight. The GOP leadership (Tom DeLay, etc.) exerted pressure in Texas to redraw lines in mid-decade in order to eliminate some Democratic seats in Congress. Some of the districts were gerrymandered in order to accomplish this. Disagreement over the census is just an excuse.
Posted by: George | February 14, 2009, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
What a surprise!
Posted by: Pat Napolitano Marietta. Ga. | February 14, 2009, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm