Tangled webs...and all that jazz...

ABC NEWS:

A rather pointed statement from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs:

“Senator Gregg reached out to the President and offered his name for Secretary of Commerce. He was very clear throughout the interviewing process that despite past disagreements about policies, he would support, embrace, and move forward with the President’s agenda. Once it became clear after his nomination that Senator Gregg was not going to be supporting some of President Obama’s key economic priorities, it became necessary for Senator Gregg and the Obama administration to part ways. We regret that he has had a change of heart.”

They offered Gregg steerage accommodations on a marvel of a ship impervious to icebergs.

Associated Press:

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.

Looks like the conscience on his right shoulder won out...you know...the conscience not holding the pitch fork.

Don't kid yourself...the reason the Obama Administration is so peaved is that Senator Gregg was their cover for when this stimulus nonsense falls flat on its face and the Democrat Congress as well as the Democrat president can't pass this off as connected to a Republican Secretary of Commerce.

The Democrats haven't solved the problem of how they secure cover in the event (likely event) that they just pissed $1 Trillion + down a dark and musty well. I'm curious as to whether this wasn't a set-up by a crafty Republican shadow group all along. Think about it...Governor Richardson's issues pop up out of the blue before the vetting and certification process. Senator Gregg pops up offering his services (if the White House press secretary is to be believed)...when they need someone in a pinch. Then..."nah...I was just messin' wit ya...good luck."