The American Spectator

Paul E. More| 2.3.09 @ 8:07AM

Sen. Gregg going alone with this should be a demoralizing blow to any who thought of the Republican party as a place to stand to stop the destruction of the United States.

Gregg of course can justify his action based on the libertarian ideology that is pushed by the likes of Rush Limbaugh. After all, Gregg is just doing what Gregg thinks is best for Gregg (although he will claim it is good for the country). At the same time, Gregg’s virtual treason may deal a fatal blow to the morale of those who were willing to brave the threats and name calling of the Obamabots in the media (and everywhere else…at school, work, church etc.).

JP| 2.3.09 @ 9:14AM

Phillip,
The Senate is one strange place; it is a place where one's political career can languish. Gregg, once considered a rising political star, became after a time just another Senator. One could say the same of Hillary's gambit. her 7 years there didn't quite work out as planned. If one has ambitions beyond the Senate (ie the White House), staying in the Senate more than a term is unwise.

However, the Senate can be the gateway to untold millions. Unlike the House, the Senate is much more efficient in picking the pockets of taxpayers. If one is a team player, the financial rewards are great (just ask Daschle). Gregg's gig at Commerce will open up avenues to K-Street that were once closed. Two years at Commerce means tens of millions later on. Hey, if one's political career is in decay why not go for the gold when the oppurtunity knocks.

The Senate is probably the last place in the world where graft and corruption reign so easily. It is truely an "old boys network" - has been since FDR's time.

However, there is one bright spot. Obama would have probably gotten his filibuster proof Senate anyway. Even without Gregg's appointment, it would only take 1 GOP senator from crossing over (take your pick: McCain, Lugar, Snowe, Chambliss, etc...). Now, McConnel is relieved from chasing that one "cross-over", and can now organize a real minority block that can be more effective. Moderates beware. The voting public is just now waking up. If the GOP House and Senate minorities can actually co-ordinate an effective alternative (it is looking that they just might be doing that), 2010 will be much different than 2006 or 2008.

J David| 2.3.09 @ 9:45AM

Well...it would be a "master stroke" if RINOs were perceived as something other than default commie-lib Dems, and rubber stamps to pretty much anything the Leftists want (the very temporary House aberration not withstanding).

J David| 2.3.09 @ 9:49AM

Dufuses who pretend to have even the faintest CLUE who Rush is, and what he thinks, would never call him anything faintly resembling Libertarians (whom he calls "whackos"), such assertions are purely LYING, or second-hand faulty info from a Rush-hater...

C Bowen| 2.3.09 @ 9:49AM

Unless Gregg plans on taking the spot, closing down the Commerce department and resigning, it's another slap in the face.

J David| 2.3.09 @ 9:52AM

Those trolls who pretend to know Rush should realize that he has been on the air for 20+ years and has well over 20 million listeners, many who listen every day, 15 hours a week. Lying about what he says will always be caught by about 10,000 or so people right away.

Cliff| 2.3.09 @ 10:02AM

Reports indicate that whomever replaces Gregg will be a placeholder and won't run for a full term in 2010. That means that it's likely Sununu will attempt a comeback, and he'll be as strong of a candidate as Gregg, and is probably more conservative then Gregg. I also don't think he'll have significantly worse odds then Gregg. Gregg was going to have a tough race nomatter what.

So the contention that "He'll be replaced by a moderate who is vulnerable in '10" isn't really accurate.

bill glass| 2.3.09 @ 11:45AM

gregg is looking for a BIG payday. that's about the bottom line.

Bob| 2.3.09 @ 3:02PM

Hilarious that hes taking over the Dept he voted to end.

Paul E. More| 2.3.09 @ 10:05PM

The late William Buckley referred to himself as a libertarian journalist. Buckley had more depth than Rush and was more conservative too boot, but the same holds true for Rush.

Rush is for “free trade” as are all libertarians. Conservatives are for protecting American industry and workers from cheap labor competition. Rush and libertarians supported the Dubai ports deal, while conservatives opposed it.

Libertarians are for “open borders” and while Rush claims he isn’t, Rush just about NEVER mentions immigration issues. In 2006 Rush claimed that Amnesty for Illegals would pass so folks should move on to something else.

Rush supported the Neocon war in Iraq, but so did most libertarians, such as some of those at Reason and the Ayn Rand types.

Rush had Walter Williams substitute host for him in past years, and I’d guess it would be fair to say that Williams is a libertarian. And I think it would be fair to say that whatever philosophy is at bottom of Rush’s positions it would be closer to a shallow libertarian individualism than anything resembling the traditional conservative philosophy.

Rush says he doesn’t want to depend on anyone for anything, not just the government but other human beings. Conservatives know that man is a social animal, dependent on community and tradition. Conservatives know that voluntary associations, family and extended family members and rooted communities are required to maintain and pass on a decent civil social order.

At this point, Rush mainly serves to mainstream Neocon positions that the Neocons would have trouble selling on their own.

ruth| 2.3.09 @ 11:34PM

Leave Rush alone. We don't give a damn what you think of him. Who the hell are you?