Judd Gregg: Devious Manipulator, Moral Statesman, or Dumbass?
New Hampshire Senator (again) Judd Gregg has been called many things in the past few weeks. With Obama's courting, like a quarterback trying to get his hands in a cheerleader's blouse before never talking to her again, Gregg was placed in a national spotlight he would never attained by being mere Senator of one of our 57 States. But now that he slapped away the quarterback's hand and fled the backseat, what now for poor Judd?
It seems there are only three ways to view him: Devious Manipulator, Moral Statesman, or complete Dumbass. Larry Kudlow, in National Review, takes the second view. In "Three Hats Off to Judd Gregg", Kudlow argues that Dodd was Mr. Smith, putting partisan issues behind the greater good for the country. That when he found the common ground was merly common ether, he respectfully withdrew.
This blog finds the other two alternatives more plausible. The first, least likely,
If Judd Gregg plotted up front to be placed in a position where he could publicly ridicule the administration's pathetic economic stimulus plan, he is a Devious Manipulator of genius proportions. In New Hampshire, Gregg's audience was paltry compared to the body-blow he was able to deliver via an international media throng. He couldn't have predicted (could he?) that Obama would also make a run at the Constitution by yanking the census into Rahm's smoky pool hall. But if he planned all along that he would "play tease," and would dump Obama on the night before the prom....he is a genius. BUT...
The most plausible? Judd Gregg, nearing the end of his run as a little-state Senator, saw his opportunity to grab the limelight. He wouldn't go quietly into the night, and saw his opportunity to be a player. He believed the President that he would have an equal seat at the table. He believed Obama really wanted him there for the economic expertise (rather than the forfeit of a Republican Senate seat). He was shocked when, once the morning came, even though he put-out, Quarterback Obama didn't want anything to do with him. In short....a dumbass.
It seems there are only three ways to view him: Devious Manipulator, Moral Statesman, or complete Dumbass. Larry Kudlow, in National Review, takes the second view. In "Three Hats Off to Judd Gregg", Kudlow argues that Dodd was Mr. Smith, putting partisan issues behind the greater good for the country. That when he found the common ground was merly common ether, he respectfully withdrew.
This blog finds the other two alternatives more plausible. The first, least likely,
If Judd Gregg plotted up front to be placed in a position where he could publicly ridicule the administration's pathetic economic stimulus plan, he is a Devious Manipulator of genius proportions. In New Hampshire, Gregg's audience was paltry compared to the body-blow he was able to deliver via an international media throng. He couldn't have predicted (could he?) that Obama would also make a run at the Constitution by yanking the census into Rahm's smoky pool hall. But if he planned all along that he would "play tease," and would dump Obama on the night before the prom....he is a genius. BUT...
The most plausible? Judd Gregg, nearing the end of his run as a little-state Senator, saw his opportunity to grab the limelight. He wouldn't go quietly into the night, and saw his opportunity to be a player. He believed the President that he would have an equal seat at the table. He believed Obama really wanted him there for the economic expertise (rather than the forfeit of a Republican Senate seat). He was shocked when, once the morning came, even though he put-out, Quarterback Obama didn't want anything to do with him. In short....a dumbass.
Comments