ASSUME FOR THE MOMENT THAT THE U.R. ISN'T A MACHIAVELLIAN GENIUS..:

Judd Gregg: A Curious Choice for Commerce (Pete Engardio, 2/04/09, Business Week)

Gregg voted for every major free-trade agreement, for example. He also has consistently supported measures to reduce business taxes while opposing legislation that would add to business costs or hurt profits: He voted against bills that would require companies to slash carbon emissions, hike taxes on oil and gas producers, or allow the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices with pharmaceutical manufacturers on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. And while Gregg voted against the 2007 America Competes Act, which had gained wide bipartisan support, it was on the grounds that the dramatic increases in federal spending on science and technology research were excessive.

Several business lobbying groups swiftly gave Gregg ringing endorsements. The National Association of Manufacturers noted that Gregg had voted in line with NAM's position on every issue during the 110th Congress. As NAM sees it, among the top hurdles preventing a revival of U.S. manufacturing are some of the highest business taxes and regulatory costs in the world.

"These have to be addressed, because they are big forces preventing manufacturers from investing in the U.S.," says Frank Varga, NAM's vice-president for international economic affairs. The Information Technology Industry Council, or ITIC, also was enthusiastic, noting that Gregg supports a permanent tax credit for research and development. Gregg voted in line with the tech council 82% of the time during his career.

Those who believe the federal government should play a much bigger financial role in promoting new technology companies or small business are likely to be disappointed in the pick. Obama's original choice to run Commerce, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, a former energy secretary, would likely have brought a more interventionist view of government to Washington.

...and the choice explains itself. He needs adults to supervise his Left or his presidency will go down in flames.

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 4, 2009 6:16 AM