Why Franken Is Kept From Senate Seat

RNC Chairman Michael Steele has voiced his approval for Norm Coleman to fight Al Franken in court forever. (It sure feels like it's been forever.)

No, hell no. Whatever the outcome, it's going to get bumped to the next level. This does not end until there's a final ruling that speaks to whether or not those votes that have not been counted should be counted. And Norm Coleman will not, will not jump out of this race before that.

Many have speculated Steele's real reason to support Coleman's legal battle for Franken's Senate seat is a Politico gem that Coleman will replace Steele as RNC chair. It is only a rumor at this point. A telling comment by Judd Gregg reveals why Republicans have no desire for Franken to take his seat.

“Usually you need 41 votes to get anything done around here. But right now, you can do a lot with 40 votes,’’ said Judd Gregg , R-N.H.

I give Gregg credit for being honest. I don't agree with the Republican Party's platform. I don't expect the GOP to give Obama a honeymoon. Notice Republicans are muted about Obama not being bipartisan. Obama did everything short but group hug Senate Republicans. Unlike Bush, Obama is concerned about public perceptions of being too partisan. Even Rahm Emanuel is being sent out to reach out to moderate Republicans. Emanuel made his political career out of plotting strategy against the GOP. The Republicans can't pull enough Blue Dog Democrats in the House. The only option is the Senate. That explains why the Coleman/Franken legal battle continues ad nauseum.

Gregg Withdraws Nomination

Judd Gregg withdraws his nomination as Commerce Secretary. The official reason is there are too many ideological differences between Gregg and President Barack Obama.

I want to thank the President for nominating me to serve in his Cabinet as Secretary of Commerce. This was a great honor, and I had felt that I could bring some views and ideas that would assist him in governing during this difficult time. I especially admire his willingness to reach across the aisle.

However, 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. 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.

Obviously the President requires a team that is fully supportive of all his initiatives.

I greatly admire President Obama and know our country will benefit from his leadership, but at this time I must withdraw my name from consideration for this position.

As we move forward, I expect there will be many issues and initiatives where I can and will work to assure the success of the President's proposals. This will certainly be a goal of mine.

Kathy and I also want to specifically thank Governor Lynch and Bonnie Newman for their friendship and assistance during this period. In addition we wish to thank all the people, especially in New Hampshire, who have been so kind and generous in their supportive comments.

As a further matter of clarification, nothing about the vetting process played any role in this decision. I will continue to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate.

Press Sec. Robert Gibbs told the White House press corp Gregg "reached out to the president and offered his name for secretary of commerce." That is a very interesting piece of information.

Republicans probably would not have kept Gregg's seat red. New Hampshire is threading blue. Gregg retaining the seat helps Republicans keep Democrats from breaking 60 seats.

Feingold: Constitutional Amendment For Senate Vacancies

Senator Russ Feingold is unhappy with the back door deal-making for how Commerce Sec. nominee Judd Gregg's vacancy is being filled. Feingold wants constitutional amendment allowing voters to decide Senate replacements. It is a good idea. The chances of the amendment getting tho-thirds of the Senate and three-fourths of states are slim.

“I congratulate Senator Gregg on his nomination to be the next Secretary of Commerce. I served with Senator Gregg on the Budget Committee for many years and worked together with him to advocate several budget reforms. Moreover, his service for several years as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State has given him a solid grounding in Commerce Department programs. He is well qualified for this position.

“But the apparent behind-the-scenes deal-making that went on to determine who will fill Senator Gregg's vacancy is alarmingly undemocratic. Once again, Americans will be represented in the Senate for nearly two years by someone they had no hand in electing. As the number of Senators appointed to their seats continues to rise, it’s increasingly clear that we need to fix this constitutional anachronism. It is time to pass a constitutional amendment to end appointments by governors and the political gamesmanship they encourage.”

The Constitution gives state Governors the power to select Senate replacements. Those replacements either step down or run in the next official election.

In Minnesota, state legislators Rep. Ryan Winkler and Senator Ann Rest introduced legislation to allow voters to decide Senate vacancies. Even if the bill passed, the Supreme Court would rule the bill unconstitutional. The Feingold bill is the most viable option.