YOUR COMMENTS

The Republicans, Your all in denial. You were in charge for 8 years and you screwed up the country. When it came to helping your friends on wall street. Saving all your money and your rich friends money. No problem 700 billion No problem, No argument. No selling out are grandchildren. Where were these aurguments from 2001 - 2006 when republicans racked up the Highest Budget Deficits Ever. Where was the conservative Mr Gregg Then. Now lets have the poor people have a chance. No we can't if your republican you can give welfare to the Rich. Don't run for office Mr Gregg. You had a chance to balance the Democrats and finally really the Country. You just proved your a whimp. And will do whatever the republican leadership tells you to do. You are not a leader. Go make sure all your investments are safe on the back of our Grand Children. Get out of denial Republicans, Pull yourself together and do whats right for once. Work together and help with the solution and stop being the problem or 2010 will be another democratic landslide. We don't need that. Don't let Senator Gregg run or the democrats will get that seat too. Leadership not whinership.
- Chuck Van, Derry,

Mike Lane - I can't for the life of me imagine what poll numbers you have been looking at. Rasmussen has had Obama's approval at 60% for a few days now, where it had fallen to after the inauguration euphoria and the 80% approval you once crowed about. Republicans and Democrats are now TIED in the generic congressional ballot. By a 2 to 1 margin, the American people believe we are going in the wrong direction. Only 37% support Obama's "stimulus" and consumer confidence has fallen to a record low even AFTER the passage of Obama's "stimulus".

Looking inside the numbers is even more interesting: "Strongly Approves" are down to 36%, "Strongly Disapproves" are up to 26%. Obama's strong approval among non-blacks is 30%, while it is 85% among blacks. Obama has racially polarized this country, rather than unite it.

My prediction is that Obama's overall approval rating will be in the high 30's/low 40's this summer. It will be relatively easy to convince the 'somewhat approves' that Obama is not worth supporting. He is a deeply divisive president, and will be seen as a massive failure.

You can keep whistling past the graveyard if you like, but...in fact, no, please keep whistling past the graveyard.
- Tom, Campton

Does Obama think his duties as president consist of nothing more than flying around in Air Force One to attend ridiculous rallies? For a man who campaigned on so many plans, so many promises of change, now that he is in office we have learned he actually had no plans, no ideas, and is winging it - Gitmo, "stimulus", cabinet appointments, Geithner's "bad bank", and now today's announcement that Obama will not appoint a "car czar" after all, but will instead appoint a committee to study the problem further.

All these experts Obama surrounds himself with, all of these well-publicized meetings with his army of advisors, all for naught.
Obama is a void; Obama in the White House is the absence of leadership.

Change, my bleep.
- Tom, Campton

It's a shame we have no politicians left who aren't too compromised to call this bailout exactly what it is in as many words: A VAST SWINDLE.

We need a new political class. Once that's in place we need to PROSECUTE everyone involved in the swindle to get back as much of the money as possible. If we don't do this our Republic will be in grave danger.
- Rowland, Fremont

It's refreshing to see a politician with principles. Long may he live....
- Dick, Concord

"When there's a tax bill being debated in Congress, you will know the names of the corporations that would benefit and how much money they would get, and we will put every corporate tax break and every pork barrel project online for every American to see; you will know who asked for them and you can decide whether your representative is actually representing you." - Dear Leader in a 2008 campaign promise. Well, that took 4 weeks to break. What's up next on the "I lied to you" list?
- Mike, Temple

Judd Greg was the architect of the first bailout bill, the one that gave billions to the banks to do whatever they wanted with and with no accountability. Now he criticizes the second bailout bill. Why, because it wasn't his baby? His antics of the last few months show that he's been in Washinton way too long. He won't even respond to his constituents concerns. I guess he's above us commoners.
At least he sees the writing on the wall and is retiring before he gets cut loose. Let's just hope that he doesn't pull a Bret Favre and change his mind.
- Bill, Manchester

Senator Gregg, Thank you for saying what many of us are thinking. From my perspetive, the banking bailout was so poorly managed it that I dont think we will ever benefit from this massive goverment program adn me and my children will be paying not only to keep greedy businesses and business people in power, but more shocking is that much of that money is just flowing back to lobbyists and into the politicians pockets who voted for the bill. This new bill is the same thing, it is just politicians picking projects that will get them re-elected and more powerful. Most of the projects have no long term job creation, few truly improve the infrastructure of the county that will allow private business to thrive-like the New Deal did. I also admire the senator for working across party lines, the real problem with the political process in the country is the democrat and republican parties. You play you stay, I also admire President Obama for trying to think across party lines and hope that Gregg will get the postion. We need more folks in a place of power bucking the party system and do what is right
- ed, henniker

My hope is that the Obama and current administration plan delivers the jobs. I hope that the items that Judd Greg does agree with come together. If that happens, best case scenario, then NH and our other states will prosper.
- Mark L, Manchester

Yes Dana, it's becoming apparent to the entire nation, that's why 69 percent of Americans support President Obama. A majority of Americans also support the stimulus package. Mitch McConnell's favorable rating are -11 points since January 5th, John Boehners are also -11 points in the same time period, while Congressional GOP's are -10. Great job guys, America is really loving you.

The House leadership? That hated "San Francisco Liberal" Nancy Pelosi not only has the only net-positive favorability rating of the bunch, but she has a net favorability advantage of 40 points over, John Boehner, her clueless Republican counterpart. The 18-point gap in the net favorability ratings in the Senate leadership is less dramatic, but still significant. Especially since Democrats are stuck with the ineffective Harry Reid as their leader.

So when what makes you feel good (obstruct and mock Obama's sincere, if misguided, efforts at "bipartisanship") clashes this dramatically with the popular will, what do you do? Not only have the already unpopular congressional Republicans seen their net favorability ratings drop 10 points in a matter of a few weeks, but they now face a net 36-point deficit compared to congressional Democrats. And it's not as if congressional Democrats are all that popular (they're obviously not), it's just that people really hate the Republicans. And Judd Gregg's integrity? Let's hear a little more about his aide's ties to Jack Abramoff which recently came to light. It might explain Gregg's abrupt withdrawal and intention not to run in 2010 a little better, no?
- Mike Lane, Manchester

Hey Dana. Let me clue you in. Who cheated the american people the last 8 years. Was'nt Obama's administration was it? Get off your high horse. I wonder who might want to investigate why Sen Gregg would change his mind . No implication here but it makes you wonder what the real truth is.
- k rober, manchester nh

Judd: your recent antics have earned you the right--nay, the responsibility--to just shut up.
- LJC, Manchester

Even the most loyal blind-followers of Obama can't defend the fact that nobody was able to read the bill that will spend over 1 trillion of our money. What happened to "allowing the American people to read legislation for four days (or whatever he said)??? Our representatives didn't even have one day!
Could we be seeing a record for most promises broken in the shortest amount of time for a President??
Let us hope people show common sense at the voting booths in 2010...
- Brent, Londonderry, NH

Sen. Gregg voted to fund hundreds of billions for the war in Iraq and also voted to fund the first bailout of which billions can't even be accounted for. On top of this his fellow republicans praised him for his brillant negotiations on this bill and said that he was a leader. If Sen. Gregg does retire in two years maybe he can sit on the beach at the mansion in Rye with papa Sununu and talk about the good old days when they could mislead all the people.
- Dale, Dover

Here is a common mans point of view on the vote. The Repubolicans don't want the economic mess to get better and did nothing to contribute to moving the country forward. The democrats will forever be viewed as the biggest tax and spenders in american history but in the end, they are AT LEAST trying to aleviate the massive paoin being experienced by the common man. So, in short, the Democrats care about the economy and the Republicans care more about doing nothing than contributing to the solution.

Thank you to all the Republicans for showing how little you really care about the every day average citizen and the ongoing struggles of the common man. Thank you to the democrats for at least taking the initiative to try to alleviate the current depression this country is in. Obviously we know who the real workers are in washington and it isn't the Republicans.
- Mike, Manchester

REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH = SOCIALISM

It is absolutely unbelievable that congress would pass a trillion dollar theft from taxpayers without even reading the bill.

No growth will be "stimulated" and soon, the pigs will return the trough for another trillion.
- Bill Howard, Exeter

What's wrong Tom? You don't like hearing the truth about your messiah?

Well that's too bad. Just because you took a crazy pill and have fallen for the BS doesn't mean the rest of us have and are going to overlook the obvious.....nominating tax cheats, spending for the sake of advancing a far left socialist agenda and calling it a stimulus bill, the lying.

I'm sure you will defend even it's become apparent to the entire nation that he's not another Lincoln but another Carter.
- Dana, Kingston, NH

I would like to know how many unskilled white collar workers who encompass the bulk of the unemployment numbers will be building bridges, roads etc. The Messiah (Obama) will probably send them to job training schools so they can earn at least $10 per hour.
- Dave Elliott, hooksett

Sen. Gregg kicked the tires of the economy when Obama called, but when he looked under the hood at the engine driving the economy, he said...."on second thought."
- Greg Salts, Manchester

Thanks Senator Gregg for embarrassing NH and providing ample schtick for the late night comedians. As if Bob Smith wasn't enough of a fiasco for us, now you grace us with your befuddled weaselantics. The only saving grace to all of this is hearing of your 2010 retirement decision. Now tell us truly, what was the real reason you backed out?
- Dennis, Derry

Elizabeth Rose, yes, the proletariat can ride the trains to their government jobs, their subsidized government jobs, with only the rich owning private vehicles. Right?

If the "rest of the world" is so much better, why are you here? Move!
- Mike R., Bedford

Dana, your whole rant is one lie after another. Making up the truth does not make it true. Care to try again?
- Tom, Dover-Foxcroft, Me.

He is right about tax cuts, wrong about housing.

Tax cuts are a no-brainer. Let people keep more of their paycheck, and they'll have more money. Why do people think the government can spend their money better than they can?

Housing, though, that's wrong. We don't need a floor. We need prices to drop back to 2.5x annual salary, even as salaries are dropping, so people can afford to buy a home without going into insane levels of debt. A starter house should be where it was in 2000...$120K in NH. Not $350K. If that were justified, jobs that paid $60K in 2000 would now pay $120K for the same job, and they don't!

I am priced out of the housing market because I am fiscally responsible. I will not dig myself a massive hole of debt just for a McMansion, like so many people will. A house not an entitlement, it is not your magic ATM. It is a place to live.
- Jerry, Merrimack

DB,

Your post was the first I saw as I finished the article, and your thoughts were as if I had written them. I was extremely impressed with how level-headed the Senator was with his analysis on the bail-out. Let's hope as 2010 arrives there is a Judd Gregg on the ballot.
- BJM, Brentwood

Wait and see- Gregg and other Republicans in Congress who did not vote for the stimulous, will be fighting to announce their name on the disbursements to states for bridges, streets like Granite St., and other infrastructure projects.
- George, Bedford

First of all Gregg didn't ask for the position. That's not how it works. Obama is obviously lying about that.

Second........never in the history of this nation has an administration attempted to remove the census from the Commerce Department.

It's obvious that Obama's plan was to nominate Gregg thereby allowing John Lynch to appoint a Dem Senator giving the Dems alarger majority in the Senate. Obama figured Gregg would be a pushover and not object when they yanked the Census fromt he Commerce Department and gave it to Rahm Emmanuelle to rig. Obama thought he'd come out looking like the hero for being so bipartisian. But Gregg wanted no part of it when he saw what was going on and now all the moonbats who are still worshipping at the feet of a false god named Barry are impugning the character of Gregg.

I hate to break it to you folks but Gregg has more integrity in his let pinky than Barry has in his whole body. Barry is just another lying, scheming, Chicago politician and it's downright disgusting watching so many display such blind faith in this hack.
- Dana, Kingston, NH

DB, sorry you are sick to read that Gregg is leaving the Senate. But his "analysis and reflection," however admirable, is merely an interlude in a career of seeing only good intentions not bad side-effects, such as on amnesty for foreign invaders. Even his analysis of the spending bill reflects his faith that government can pilot the private economy out of recession. Like Obama, Bush, and Bernanke, Gregg thinks he can restart consumer confidence by force of law or freshly-printed dollar bills.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

This stimulus package is liking patching an old worn out quilt. The US needs to come up to the standards of most of the rest of the world. We desperately need a new railway system that relieves the energy problem, creates long term jobs,
protects the environment, and gives Americans something we can be proud of. Put that borrowed money into railways.
- Elizabeth Rose, Fort Gratiot Mi

Gregg's analysis and reflections on the just passed Democrat "Welfare" bill makes me sick to realize he is leaving the Senate in 2010. Few Senators have displayed the vision and courage that he has exhibited for government fiscal responsibility. I pray for my home state of New Hampshire as I witness the overwelming migration of Taxachusetts liberals who just don't get it. To see the tilt to the left on a once fiscal responsible State sends a frightful message. It is the philosophy of welfare to the non-thinking lazy in exchange for their vote, and higher taxes for the rest of us.
- DB, Merritt Island

Don't let Judas Gregg fake you out, the only reason he backed out is he was afraid of being a Mr. Nobody in the Obama administratio. Had he got what he was promised he would have sold out the highest price he could get for his personal benefit, the only good part of his in and out namby pamby shennanigans is to make his departing easily and sleazy from les cowardly depature, he is just a plain weasily namby pamby weeney. I hope he keeps his promise not to run in 2010
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester

Stop rationalizing Senator Gregg's abrupt change of mind. While I may not disagree with many of the senator's policy positions, it is apparent to me that Senator Gregg put himself before the country.
- RS, Stratham

How does the Democratic plan under consideration compare with the Republican hot air plan? Seems as though we have proven in eight years that their hot air is very very expensive. Might want to give this one a try if you believe the fear you see in the eyes of economists on a daily basis.
- Robert, Deerfield

The Onion Leader again shows how bias it is with long articles on Judd not related to the current situation as well as repeat articles. thankfully the OL has no influence except upon those poor souls it has brainwashed.
- crisp, Bow

Mr. Lemay, the government cannot increase taxes. It can only increase tax rates. The effect of this will be to induce behavioral changes (evasion and reluctance to start new businesses) that will shrink receipts further.

Obama may blame the Bush administration; he may blame his constituents (further referring to our preferences with the language of disease and addiction); he may blame "the rich" (the achievers who alone have the power to get the economy moving again); and he may blame foreigners and propose new curtailments on imports and exports. These will make him look better and make the problem worse. As in the 1930s, get ready for a decade of treading water before the heroic American engine starts to move forward again.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

The borrowing necessary to finance 2 trillions for the TARP and the Stimulus when the interest rate in recent Treasury Bill auctions was zero makes it hard to believe that China or other countries will finance this.

If this happens, we will have a catastrophic tax increase for everyone -- doubling the taxes we pay, and making the problems far worse.

Welcome o Obama "change." That's what your bank account will have left in it.
- Arthur LEMAY, Paris, France

I'm a little bit baffled. Did Judd really expect a smooth, friendly and 'easy' inception into a Democratic administration?

So he was willing to relinquish his responsibility as an elected representative of the people of NH for a job in the White House for the betterment of NH and the country.

OK, I can accept that. But then when he 'realizes' that it's going to actually be HARD he quits?

What was he expecting once the pomp and circumstance of a Republican being named part of the Democratic cabinet was over, easy street?

It was a hard job from the start. Almost everyone surrounding you will have opposite viewpoints. Not realizing that fact beforehand was more than a 'mistake'. In the case of a politician it goes far past 'gross neglicence' leaning toward ignorance or naiveté of the current political landscape.

Judd, you actually could have put a purple tint on a blue administration if you just stood up and were vocal and public with your viewpoints.

Retreat does not become you.
- PM, Manchester