N.H. Gov. Taps GOP Sen. To Replace Gregg

Bonnie Newman To Replace Obama's Commerce Nominee As Part Of Deal To Maintain Balance Of Power In Senate

(CBS/AP)  Democratic Gov. John Lynch on Tuesday named Republican Bonnie Newman as his pick for the U.S. Senate, a selection that allows departing GOP Sen. Judd Gregg to become U.S. commerce secretary without handing his old Democratic colleagues a filibuster-proof majority.

The New Hampshire governor's announcement Tuesday that the businesswoman and former government official would become senator came hours after President Barack Obama nominated Gregg to the commerce post.

"I must admit in my wildest, wildest dreams I never thought we would be standing here today," Newman said at a news conference. She has held prominent leadership positions in government, higher education and the private sector but has never held elective office.

Lynch said Newman has agreed to serve only the remaining two years of Gregg's six-year Senate term. Gregg's departure is expected to make the seat more competitive next year for Democrats.

CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller reports that Gregg specifically thanked Lynch "for his courtesy and courage in being willing to make this possible through the agreement that we have relative to my successor in the Senate."

Democrats and independents who caucus with them will hold 59 Senate seats if a court case over a race in Minnesota falls their way, and with 60 they would have enough votes to fend off Republican efforts to block legislation. Gregg, however, had indicated he would take the Cabinet job only if the balance of power in the Senate didn't change.

Newman pledged to put the well-being of New Hampshire and the country above partisan politics.

"I am a proud and independent-minded Republican. This assignment is not about politics and business as usual. It is about governing," she said.

Lynch, who said he has known Newman for 40 years, said her party affiliation didn't drive his choice.

"Bonnie is someone I would have considered regardless of party," he said.

The appointment will not become official until Gregg is confirmed for the commerce job.

Newman, 63, was Gregg's chief of staff in the 1980s, oversaw administrative operations for the White House under President George H.W. Bush, and has served as interim president of the University of New Hampshire and executive dean at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Despite being a Republican, she was an early and strong backer of Lynch's campaigns.

Gregg said Newman has excelled over the years at the challenges she's undertaken. "I am confident as a U.S. senator, Bonnie will again excel and provide people in New Hampshire with thoughtful leadership and a strong voice in Washington," he said.

Newman would become New Hampshire's second female senator in a matter of months. Democrat Jeanne Shaheen beat Republican incumbent John E. Sununu in November to become the first woman from the state to hold a Senate seat.

Newman, who lives in North Hampton, grew up in Lawrence, Mass., and has an undergraduate degree in sociology and a master's in education in higher education adminstration. In the private sector, she founded a radio station, was executive vice president at Exeter Trust and was president of the New England Council, a regional business association.

Newman said she will resign as lead director on the FairPoint Communications board and from several other boards if Gregg is confirmed.

New Hampshire House Speaker Terie Norelli, a Democrat, praised the choice and said Newman is careful, thoughtful and considerate in her approach.

"It's been my experience that's how she approaches problems," she said.

Norelli said she has no concerns about Newman's party affiliation.

"President Obama ran on change," she said. "This is change."

[krazytaz312]

Obama get your head out of your rear end dude and look at reality, criminals like gop doesn''''t deserve to be even considered, wake up man before we throw you a*s out in next elections.
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Posted by zokin at 08:51 PM : Feb 03, 2009

Criminals like GOP? You have to to be kidding me. Let''s see Richardson, Daschle, Tim Geithner and Obama''s pick for chief performance officer all having tax issues and you call the GOP criminal. Talk about drinking Obama Kool-Aid or maybe you just feel the need to ignore facts and point fingers at others.

[rotflmmfao]

RINO.

[tawpdawg111]

Excellent!

Women are grossly under-represented in the Senate.

[samthetvcat]

PS Potential conflict of interest . . .

[samthetvcat]

I''ve read rumors about this Governor thinking of running for the seat himself in two years - isn''t that a conflict of interest of sorts?

Like doesn''t he sort of have an obligation to have appointed somebody who''s of the same caliber as Gregg, regardless of party affiliation?

Was he maybe motivated to pick somebody who''s never run for office before so that if they changed their mind and decided to run they wouldn''t be a serious threat to him (Gov. Lynch)?

These back-room deals where the public''s not privy to what factored into the decision-making make my imagination run wild . . . I can''t be the only one :o

[spinproof]

"Bonnie Newman To Replace Obama''s Commerce Nominee As Part Of Deal To Maintain Balance Of Power In Senate"

To Maintain Balance Of Power In Senate? You mean to maintain the power to obstruct in the Senate, call a spade a spade!

[mj9501]

a republican govenor would have never, ever done this. dems have no spine. in 2 years newman will change her mind - wait and see. i have to wonder just how indispenable gregg is that the WH, gregg and the gov made a behind the door deal - no difference than what the gov in IL did. politics pure and simple.