New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg will be named today to be Commerce Secretary by President Obama. Gregg has been mentioned for over a week as a possible candidate, but has said that he would not take the post if in so doing the current numerical balance in the Senate were altered. On that basis it appears that Governor Lynch of New Hampshire, the appointing authority, may very well appoint a caretaker Republican to that seat. Lynch issued a statement that danced around the issue. From the Washington Post:

“We are in the midst of a national economic crisis, and it calls for cooperation on all of our parts. We all need to work together to do what is in the best interest of our country and our state. I have had conversations with Senator Gregg, the White House and the U.S. Senate leadership. Senator Gregg has said he would not resign his seat in the U.S. Senate if it changed the balance in the Senate. Based on my discussions, it is clear the White House and Senate leadership understand this as well.”

Lynch continued: “It is important that President Obama be able to select the advisers he feels are necessary to help him address the challenges facing our nation.”

I believe Governor Lynch will appoint a Republican, but that Republican will likely be someone to the left of the current Republican mainstream. That will likely mean a more consistent vote for many Obama policies, even if the Democrats do not pick up an additional caucus member.