Ignoring Gregg statement to the contrary, Couric and Schieffer suggested withdrawal "raise[s] issues" about Obama "vetting process"
SUMMARY: On the CBS Evening News, Katie Couric asked Bob Schieffer if Sen. Judd Gregg's withdrawal as commerce secretary nominee "raise[s] issues about the Obama administration's vetting process." Schieffer responded: "Well, I don't think it can help but do that." Neither noted that in a press release announcing his withdrawal, Gregg stated that "nothing about the vetting process played any role in this decision."
On the February 12 broadcast of the CBS Evening News, anchor Katie Couric asked chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer if Sen. Judd Gregg's (R-NH) withdrawal as commerce secretary nominee "raise[s] issues about the Obama administration's vetting process." Schieffer responded: "Well, I don't think it can help but do that. ... [T]o have these incidents happening over and over again -- this does not help this administration's credibility." Neither Couric nor Schieffer noted that contrary to their suggestions, Gregg stated in the press release announcing his withdrawal that "nothing about the vetting process played any role in this decision." Moreover, neither Couric nor Schieffer mentioned that in comments published by the Politico more than an hour before the CBS Evening News broadcast aired, Gregg reportedly said, "The fault lies with me." The Politico further reported that Greg "refused to discuss any conversations he had with Obama, saying, 'I may have embarrassed myself but hopefully not him.' "
From the February 12 broadcast of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric:
COURIC: Bob, this seems so strange, particularly the timing. Why do you think Gregg had this sudden change of heart?
SCHIEFFER: I tell you, Katie, this is either the weirdest thing that ever happened in Washington, or we have found one honest man. I mean, he says, "Look, I was offered the job, I said yes, but then when I thought about it, I decided, 'Well, maybe it's not the right fit.' "
I do know his own party was giving him a lot of static; they felt he was selling out. There was not much support for the stimulus package. But when you think back on it, Katie, surely when they were talking to him about this, the Obama people must have told him what was coming down the road here. This one is just -- there's a lot of questions here and not many answers tonight, I'm afraid.
COURIC: Well, let me ask you a follow-up question, Bob: Does this once again raise issues about the Obama administration's vetting process?
SCHIEFFER: Well, I don't think it can help but do that. I mean, they'll get by this. They'll find a commerce secretary. But to have these incidents happening over and over again -- this does not help this administration's credibility. There's no other way you can say it.
COURIC: All right. Bob Schieffer in Washington. Bob, thank you.
Gregg clearly takes the blame for not fully "vetting" Obamaham in this case.
it sounds as if gregg simply couldn't take the heat from his own party. why he agreed in the beginning is a mystery, if that is the case. he surely knew obama's plans. but baseless speculation seems to be at work here.
The way I read it (my interpretation) is that Gregg is kind of admitting that he didn't know Obamaham's plans (at least as far as the Census goes.) Sounds like he didn't ask enough questions, for which he clearly takes the blame.
he's a senator and didn't know what obama's plans were?
same way major republicans stated last night they didn't read the entire stimulus package and yet, the day before,, they voted on it. If I had known that ansd was a senator, I would have put some pork in it for the states these republicans represent and watch them explain why they voted agains it. Wouldn't that be funny ?
Ii thought by now everyone knew what Obama's plans were.
He wants us to be in hock to the Chinese until they repossess the entire company and turn us all into commie Mooslums.
In his press conference Gregg said the census was "not a major issue."
I'd find that difficult to believe. It was known that Gregg was behind the behind the scenes negotiations for backfilling his vacancy with another republican. I think the blagovich scandal may have had a hand here.
He ASKED for the post and now he's declining it? Can you think of a reason he would do that?
The Crystal Ball!!!
Much more believeable than from FOX, right? So, Gregg didn't ask all the right questionns up front, wether it be about the Census or other matters.
On Countdown tonight Keith Olbermann revealed a document that Gregg himself asked for the job in the beginning. But it looks like Gregg caved in to the vestiges of scare tactics still floating around. Maybe the people of new hampshire will realise this guy really doesn't want to serve the country.
They also asked him directly how he would vote on the stimulus bill. He said something like "wait until the vote happens." This guy is really, really confused.
he better start reading this document before the vote comes up. Maybe they should treat these documents as a book report subject to a final examination prior to voting on it. And what makes these geniuses assume we , the electorate , is not smart enough to question decisions made by the bodies that receive this money ? Look at how fast it was discovered CEO's were using the money to go on Junkets and buy airplanes ?
what's wrong with buying airplanes. the govt is going to buy a bunch of golf carts. buying airplanes puts people to work.
there is nothing wrong with buying airplanes per se. Buying corporate jets from France with american taxpayers money is wrong. Golf carts made here in the US is a stimulus.
I saw the CBS news in real time and could not understand how they could say it had anything to do with the vetting process when Gregg basically said he had changed his mind or had second thoughts. Should the vetting process include a clairvoyant? Who is writing this dribble at Black Rock?
Couric and Schieffer would rather make themselves look like they are "above the news" in their analysis, i.e. it's easier to speculate about administration vetting (cool!) then relate or report the facts.
Reportedly, Judd Gregg's withdrawal has more to do with removing the Census from the Commerce Department, after complaints from Hispanics, which could prove detrimental to the Republican Party. I suspect that Gregg came under pressure from fellow Republicans with respect to going along with anything that could hurt the party's chances at election time. Regardless, this has nothing to do with vetting...
"I suspect that Gregg came under pressure from fellow Republicans "
I have no doubt THIS is true.
So some of Obama's nominees are falling through with problems and scandals that are discovered BEFORE they take office.
As opposed to the Bush administration in which problems and scandals don't get discovered until they they have been at the job for years.
Hmm. Whose vetting process is better?
Exactly. Isn't this what "vetting" is supposed to be about? Sheesh!
It continues to be a disgrace that people whose job it is to keep the American people informed don't know the first thing about whatever it is they are talking about, in this case Gregg's withdrawal.
1. Gregg sought the job.
2. Gregg withdrew, saying "Nothing about the vetting process played any role in this decision."
3. Couric and Schieffer create spin in an obvious attempt to smear Obama.
Too bad they paid more attention to their preconceived notions than to other possible factors such as, just for starters, Gregg's Abramoff problem.
obama undercut him with the census decision,as all the black caucus got on his butt, and gregg said fuhgetaboutit. obama is really out of his depth and has no earthly idea what he is doing they've already managed to alienate poland, prague, india, italy, and china. and it's only week three
they really need some adults in charge.
they've already managed to alienate poland, prague, india, italy, and china. FMB87
Really? Can you post some links or something? And I wonder, if what you say is ture, what the ratio of the world "alienated" by the courrent Prez compared to the last one?
i've read it over a number of days.
obama pushed on settling kashmir, and the indian p.m. said that is so yesterday, and said the bamster should stay out of it.
biden started waffling on missile defense, eventhough prague and poland hadinvested significant political capital to back the plan. someone from the polish govt had an editorial in the wsj two days ago saying the u.s. should be resolute.
i did not mean italy, should have been iraq as biden said we need to get in there and knock some heads so the iraqis would do the hard stuff. maliki told him to take a hike, saying they know what to do. remember, biden the dunce is the one that wanted to split iraq into three parts, and a huge majority of iraqis protested that idiot's interference.
geithner stated china was manipulating their currency. the chinese strongly objected to this. he did this at a time when he is going to want the chinese to buy the bonds necessary to fund the ridiculous bill passed by the dems today.
if you check, you will see that bush was much adored in india, poland and prague. he could have been elected p.m. of israel in a heartbeat. he is beloved in africa because of what he did about aids and malaria. and on and on. bush will go down as a great president. clinton never lifted a finger to help anyone but himself, he will be a pimple on our history. the bamster will be remembered for driving the economy off a cliff and be despised for ages. i wish he were gone already.
You really believe that about W? Nevermind, you think Prague is a country.
JBL in Maine got it right ! CBS screwed the pooch by flubbing an opportunity to address genuine issues at play here - even if in a highly abstract and general way - at least a beginning of public insight and focus - this "vetting" (non-) issue merely fogs our window and furthers the "dumming" of the electorate - which usually favors Republicans - uh oh.
he couldn't get what he wanted so he gave into the bully party.
the commerce secretary does basically two things. run the noaa and conduct the census. after they nominated him, they took away the census. unless you have no self respect, you could not accept the job. we'll see who they get to be the weatherman. maybe they will get willard scott. what an embarrassment. this is the gang that can't shoot straight. obama is just so clueless. what a pity he represents us to the rest of the world.
Absent aaccurate information, it appears that these two are just making things up. Gregg no doubt was under severe pressure from Republicans NOT to be involved with tyhe stimulus package. Imagine the bind for Republicans if Gregg had stayed and the House and Senate Republicans fled from the vote in droves like they did. Greegg probably did not have the stomach for it even after he did lobby for the job. However, better that he got out than if he stayed and he would be that disloyal.