The Gregg Gambit

Reports are flying around this weekend that Obama plans to name New Hampshire Republican Sen. Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary as early as tomorrow.

Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) is the leading candidate to become President Obama's Commerce secretary, an administration official said Saturday, adding that a decision could come as early as Monday.

Gregg's appointment would add another Republican to Obama's Cabinet at a time when the president is preaching bipartisanship and working to build GOP support for his agenda.

It would also have the potential to tip the balance of power in the Senate: New Hampshire's governor, a Democrat, could name a Democrat to succeed Gregg.

Depending on the outcome of the contested Senate race in Minnesota, a Democratic appointee from New Hampshire could give the party 60 seats in the Senate, counting the two independents who caucus with Democrats -- enough to shut down Republican filibusters and smooth the way for Obama's plans whether there is bipartisan support for them or not.

So, what are the pros and cons of this plan? Is Obama outsmarting the GOP, or is he too clever for his own good?

The Pros for Judd Gregg:

• Sixty Democrats in the Senate.
• Gregg would have to take his orders from Obama or be fired (the Hillary Solution).
• Eliminates Gregg as a block on the stimulus and EFCA.
• Bipartisan points with the Village Idiots.
• Gregg may be sick of the GOP and this would be a strong career capstone.

The Cons against Judd Gregg:

• NH Gov. Lynch may in fact appoint a Republican.
• There's no way Gregg and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis will see eye to eye.
• GOP may block Gregg's appointment unless a Republican replaces him.
• If a Dem replaces Gregg, it will be all out war to make sure Al Franken is never seated.
  
• Gregg may go rogue once inside.

I can see why Obama would do it. Clearly, Gregg could have politely withdrawn his name from consideration at any point, so clearly he wants the job. Frankly, Gregg is a fiscal conservative that I doubt has much in common with Obama's vision of a green corporate America. Politically, short term, it's very tempting. Long term, it could be a disaster.

We'll see.