Political Commentary, Space

Richardson’s Replacement

5 Comments

(Republican) New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg has accepted President Obama’s nomination to be the new Secretary of Commerce. Apparently, a deal has been cut to allow this to occur without a change in the balance of power in the Senate, by having the Democrat governor appoint a Republican to replace him.

From a space standpoint, a lot of people in the commercial space community were excited about the Richardson pick, because of his very visible and active support of commercial space and space tourism. As head of the Commerce Department, he could have been helpful to that cause, through the Office of Commercial Space, and perhaps helping ameliorate ITAR and other regulatory issues. But Gregg is a cipher on these issues, so it isn’t clear whether this is good, bad or indifferent for commercial space. It’s probably not a subject to which he’s given much thought. On the other hand, he’s reportedly a smart guy, and perhaps educable if people can get to him early.

5 thoughts on “Richardson’s Replacement”

  1. Apparently, a deal has been cut to allow this to occur without a change in the balance of power in the Senate, by having the Democrat governor appoint a Republican to replace him.

    Spider sense … tingling …

  3. how about all elected, appointed and retired (as a condition of accepting pensions and other benefits) federal officials get audited by a team from the IRS, H&R Block, and 3 CPA’s chosen at random, on a yearly basis?

    I really feel the fool: I pay my taxes every single year (actually, quarter)….had I only known it was optional..

  4. This tax thing is going to become imprinted on the public consciousness you know. If Jay Leno hasn’t already joked about how paying your taxes on time disqualifies you for a White House job in 2009, he will.

  5. Gregg is/was my senator. A very wishy-washy guy easily swayed by the establishment press on issues. Obviously took the job knowing that Republican NH voters despised him as a RINO and because he was an easy target for complete Democratic dominance of New Hampshire in the forthcoming senatorial election. NH, the northern burb of Massachusetts.

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