NH pols discussing Bonnie Newman as possible Gregg stand-in
A new name is circulating among New Hampshire politicians as a likely pick to replace US Senator Judd Gregg if he is appointed Commerce Secretary: J. Bonnie Newman, a Republican with close ties to both Gregg and the state's Democratic governor, John Lynch, and extensive Washington experience.
The White House has not announced a decision on the cabinet slot, and Democratic Governor John Lynch has revealed nothing about whom he might consider if Gregg gets the job. But Newman's resume and Lynch's appointment history make her seem like a logical possibility.
Consider: Newman served as assistant secretary of Commerce for economic development in the Reagan administration. She was in charge of administrative operations for the George H.W. Bush White House.
She was chief of staff to Gregg when he was a congressman in the 1980s, and she was one of the first Republicans to publicly endorse Lynch in his 2004 challenge of then-Republican Governor Craig Benson, and co-chaired Republicans for Lynch.
She has held a number of high-profile positions in higher education, including several important posts at the University of New Hampshire (including interim president) and executive dean of Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. She has also led the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association.
That is just the kind of resume that Lynch, who emphasizes competence and experience in his appointments, would likely favor. But would a Democratic governor really appoint a Republican, especially when Gregg's departure opens the possibility of Democrats gaining a 60-vote supermajority in the Senate?
This one might. Lynch casts himself as a bipartisan politician. He appointed Republicans as his attorney general and commissioner of Environmental Services, and he endorsed a GOP state senator over a Democratic challenger (and longtime state representative) last year.
He stayed out of the presidential primary (he did take the stage with John McCain when he appeared in Hopkinton, Lynch's hometown) and he played a low-profile role in the presidential general election, even though New Hampshire was a closely fought battleground state.
If he picked Newman, Lynch would certainly irritate New Hampshire Democrats. But they might be more inclined to forgive him if Newman promises not to run in 2010, when Gregg's term is up -- which would still put them ahead of where they are now, with a relatively popular incumbent Republican in the Senate seat.
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Bonnie Newman would be a great Senator. She has a high degree of integrity is extremely knowledgeable. She knows Washington well and is a hard worker. I have known her for many many years. New Hampshire would be well represented by haveing such a great mind and a great person in the Senate.
J. Bonnie Newman would be a perfect choice - a true public servant. But health concerns could prevent her from stepping up.
If Democrats need a great candidate, think of former Labor Commissioner Jim Casey, another long-time veteran of New Hampshire politics who was very well liked by the business community when he was Labor Commissioner.
An out-of-the-box candidate Lynch could trust - Dr. Phil Boulter, an expert in healthcare and a leader of the state's Citizen Healthcare Initiative.
Here again in New Hampshire, as was the case in Illinois, it is imperative that the governor not give up his or her (state) constitutional duty and responsibility to exercise authority over the appointment of a new U.S. senator to fill a vacancy in the state's senatorial delegation in Washington should a vacancy occur in the case of Sen. Judd Gregg.
Gov. John Lynch absolutely should not yield to the U.S. Senate and the White House his right and his authority to appoint a citizen of New Hampshire to take the place of Sen. Gregg in Washington should a vacancy occur. Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois put his own political service on the line in defense of the constitutional right of governors across this country to fill senatorial vacancies independent of the political control or direction of the executive or legislative branches of the federal government.
We just can't have a presidential administration and the United States Senate interfering in the right and responsibility of governors to make appointments at the state level in keeping with the state constitutions and the relevant statutory guidelines in effect in the states when these are not in conflict with federal law or the U.S. Constitution. Gov. Lynch must retain the political authority to make a senatorial appointment--if it should become necessary--regardless of the political affiliation of his chosen appointee.
NH Gov. Lynch could not do better than appoint Bonnie Newman to fill Sen. Gregg's Senate seat were he picked to serve as Secretary of Commerce. I met Bonnie Newman when I was a White House Fellow assigned to work at the WH for Elizabeth Dole. I found Bonnie politically astute, hard working and giving. A wonderful if uncommon combination in DC. Bonnie was a mentor to me just because she saw an opportunity to help me appreciate government service. One of the highlights of my year as a White House Fellow was a trip to the top of the capitol. Who made it possible? Judd Gregg! I am pulling for bothfabulous choices.
Choosing Newman would jeopardize the future of New Hampshire's - and America's - Working Families. Newman's close ties to the Business Industry Association can be a strong liability. If Governor Lynch truly listened to the voice of Granite Staters over the last 3 years, he would recognize that New Hampshire is tired of having representatives like Gregg who put Big Business ahead of workers' interests. That's why former Sen. John E. Sununu lost in 2008 - he didn't listen.
And, I wonder how much money changed hands in this deal?
Why Chicago politics gets all of the scrutiny, I have no idea.
Obama has changed the makeup of the US Senate far more than he has changed the Executive branch of our government. He only served four years of his one term in the Senate and if best known for his "Present" voting record in the Illinois Senate in Springfield.
This man has no business being president of our nation
Bonnie Newman would make a great choice to fill Gregg's senate seat. I had the opportunity to work with a be mentored by her as a freshman and sophmore at UNH and found her to be sincere, thoughtful, and committed administrator and friend.
My wife and I knew Ms.Newman when she wasa young college girl back in 60's. I was a young Naval Officer and my best friend in my squadron dated Bonnie. She was a charming, intelligent young lady with very good values.
Proud to have known her and my former wife, Marsha, and I are wishing her the very best as New Hampsire's Senator.
Bonnie Newman is a brilliant woman of integrity who will look at issues objectively and do what is right for ALL of the people of New Hampshire. We are lucky to have such a well rounded, educated, experienced... and .... dare I say, thoughtful person representing us. I am proud of the choice that our Governor has made.