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Judd Gregg withdraws


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Republican Sen. Judd Gregg withdrew his nomination to become President Obama's commerce secretary on Thursday, citing "irresolvable conflicts" over issues like the economic stimulus package and the Census.

In doing so, the New Hampshire senator became the first Cabinet-level nominee to withdraw his name in protest.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his name for commerce secretary in January amid an ethics investigation in his state. And Tom Daschle withdrew his name for health and human services secretary over criticism about his failure to pay taxes on unreported income.

Gregg, in a written statement, said he's withdrawing his name because his and Obama's policy views are too different.

"It has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me," he said.

"Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy," he said. "Obviously the President requires a team that is fully supportive of all his initiatives."

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Gregg 'probably' won't seek re-election in 2010

Judd Gregg made clear Thursday he would rather serve in the Senate than in the Obama administration, but the New Hampshire Republican said he “probably” will not seek a fourth term next year.

“Will I run? Probably not,” Gregg said at a press conference after withdrawing from the Commerce post. Gregg also told the New Hampshire Union-Leader earlier in the day that he does not intend to seek re-election.

If that’s true, it likely comes as good news to New Hampshire Rep. Paul Hodes, the Democratic congressman who emerged as a frontrunner for the seat after Gregg first decided to take the Commerce job. Hodes announced his intention to run for the Senate seat last week.

But if Gregg has a change of heart and decides to run again in 2010, Hodes has a tougher road ahead. According to an American Research Group poll released in late December, Gregg held a 47-40 lead in a hypothetical match-up with the congressman.

Even before Gregg said Thursday he won’t run again — but after he turned down the president — Hodes made it clear he still wants the seat.

“I will be a candidate for the United State Senate in 2010,” Hodes said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “I look forward to working every day to stand up for New Hampshire as we come together to confront the economic crisis facing our nation.”

Hodes would still need to secure the Democratic nomination, and may face a primary challenge from Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, who is mulling her own bid.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/...ection-in-2010/

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