More on Judd Gregg's Abrupt Withdrawal

New Hampshire Republican Senator Judd Gregg's abrupt withdrawal as nominee for commerce secretary was an ungracious and rude act,  and does not reflect on President Obama.  Why he pulled this stunt at the last moment,  when he had lobbied for the position and knew what it entailed,  seems to indicate some GOP pressure and tactics.  It is not clear what the census has to do with it,  nor  does his explanation about being fiscally conservative make any sense,  because he knew what the stimulus would entail.  In any case,  if bipartisanship is not working,  I do not think it is the fault of our President.  Even Pat Buchanan said on msnbc's Harball last night that this was certainly not in any way Obama's error.  The GOP is not playing into the post-partisan ideal which was to mark the Change in Washington. 

If one looks at it through the eyes of Republicans,  it still seems sulky and ungracious.  I get annoyed when I cannot interpret events,  but usually with time the meaning emerges,  and often reveals a silver lining as well.  And it is interesting that political philosophy rather than tax evasion scandal was the reason for the move.  It has been said that Gregg is of the old school,  classical enough to follow the old gentleman's rule of independence.   I suppose one must consider the old gulf fixed between the parties,  and see this also as a sign that perhaps bi-partisan and post-partisan idealism is great in theory,  but does not always translate into practice.