1) The commerce department actually does relatively little. Pretty much the only involvement that the Commerce Department will have with this bill is the money appropriated for the Census, which the White House has decided to keep a close eye ion, by-passing the cabinet secretary.
2) Gregg is an incumbent Republican in a trending blue state that is up for re-election in 2 years. If Gregg stayed he'd vote Republican. Replacing him with a Republican is a wash. However, getting an incumbent Republican up for re-election in 2 years out of the seat to be replaced by a placeholder that will not run in 2 years in a state that is trending Democratic is extremely beneficial to the prospects of picking up that seat for the next Congress.
Obama plays long-ball.
And on the topic of this post, assuming that Republicans were shut out (they weren't) wouldn't you be pleased as punch that the Democrats grew a pair?
Its looking more and more like you just like to complain.
Silly democratic-speak is every bit as much fun as silly republican-speak.
I wonder if you
complained about "liking to complain" when YOU and other democrats whined incessently about George Bush? Was complaining a problem for you then, or does your "How to be a Good Democrat" handbook tell you that only democrats get to do it?
Additionally, did you somehow miss this ..
"Had the democrats any courage they would have ignored the republicans and passed good legislation without them."
Do you require me to interpret that for you brother?
I KNOW that republicans were not shut out of the process.. so please tell me why in the hell would I be applauding democrats for something they did not do?
AND, I disagree with your thought that Commerce has little to do. Some of the funding and dispersal of this bill will go through Commerce.
"The Department of Commerce and its component bureaus create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, competitiveness and stewardship. The Department of Commerce’s mission is linked directly to encouraging the economic growth that benefits all American industries, workers and consumers; enhancing technological leadership and environmental stewardship, and advocating market growth strategies. The responsibilities of the Department of Commerce are to foster U.S. business and industry; stimulate international trade; measure and analyze social development and economic activity; advance our nation’s scientific and technological capabilities; and understand, predict, and protect the natural environment."
http://www.osec.doc.gov/bmi/Budget/Strategic04-1002.htm
If you think Commerce will have no hand in the stimulus .. OK .. but you're wrong.
Your "Obama plays long-ball" .. so lets appoint a republican thought is hilarious.
Democrats are such wimps.
