Job Opening In The Obama Cabinet
President Obama missed a job recruiting opportunity in the East Room this morning when he addressed dozens of top corporate executives who comprise The Business Council.
"Anybody here want to be Commerce Secretary?" he should've asked.
It's beginning to feel like the job opening is jinxed. For the third time since his election, Mr. Obama finds himself trying to fill the slot.
His first choice, Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., was pulled last month after news reports of a grand jury investigating how campaign donors received state contracts.
And then yesterday, second choice Judd Gregg, republican Senator from New Hampshire, threw the White House a political curveball when he suddenly announced he no longer wanted to run Commerce. He no longer felt he could serve in the Obama Cabinet because he could not embrace a number of key Administration policies – including the economic stimulus bill that's been at the top of President Obama's agenda since taking office.
"We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy," said Gregg in a written statement. "Obviously the president requires a team that is fully supportive of all his initiatives."
For the sake of political diversity, Mr. Obama was willing to accept less than full-throated support from Gregg for all White House policies. Gregg would have been the third republican in the Cabinet. The other two are Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a former GOP congressman.
Though Gregg had conveyed his new-found second thoughts about the job last Monday to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and then to Mr. Obama on Wednesday, the White House still seemed taken aback if not blindsided by his announcement yesterday. It hit reporters' e-mail just as Mr. Obama was giving his big speech of the day about the stimulus plan moving toward final passage in Congress. The Gregg announcement completely overshadowed the president's remarks.
Worth noting is that Gregg had abstained when the bill was voted on in the Senate on Tuesday. Fellow Republicans expect him to vote against it today – which would speak volumes about the political pickle in which he found himself: nominated to run a federal Department near the center of implementing the stimulus plan.
The first White House reaction to Gregg's announcement came close to portraying him as an ingrate and double-dealer.
"He was very clear throughout the interviewing process that despite past disagreements about policies, he would support, embrace and move forward with the President's agenda," said a statement issued in the name of Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
"We regret that he has had a change of heart," ended the statement. Actually, top aides were more furious than regretful. Mr. Obama was far kinder in his public comments.
"I think Judd is a good man and I think that he sincerely wanted to work with us," said the president – telling reporters he knew they'd "want a crack at me for a second on the issue of Judd."
Mr. Obama still believes Democrats and Republicans can work together in his Cabinet. "I'm an eternal optimist," he said.
The president confirmed that he had spoken with Gregg on Wednesday, but apparently didn't understand that the senator intended to withdraw his nomination.
"I wasn't sure whether he had made a final decision or not," he said.
It'll be understandable if White House headhunters add some new questions to their vetting sheet when seeking another nominee to run Commerce:
-"Are you sure you want this job?"
-"I mean - are you really sure?"
-"Do you ever change your mind after making a decision?"
-"Did we ask if you are really, truly, absolutely want to be Secretary of
Commerce?"
-"We'll get back to you."
