Gregg withdraws, says post not 'good fit'

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., citing "irresolvable conflicts" on the stimulus plan, withdrew his name from consideration as commerce secretary Thursday.

Expressing admiration for President Barack Obama's reaching across party lines, Gregg said, "However, it has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the census there are irresolvable conflicts for me."

During a news conference late Thursday afternoon, Gregg downplayed the U.S. census -- which the administration wants to pull from the Commerce Department and put under the auspices of the White House -- as an issue for his withdrawal.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement, "Senator Gregg reached out to the president and offered his name for secretary of commerce. He was very clear throughout the interviewing process that despite past disagreements about policies, he would support, embrace and move forward with the president's agenda."

Once it became clear that Gregg couldn't support some of President Barack Obama's economic policies, "it became necessary for Senator Gregg and the Obama administration to part ways. We regret that he has had a change of heart," Gibbs said.

Gregg is the second commerce secretary nominee to withdraw from consideration. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson pulled out of consideration because of a federal investigation into an alleged "pay to play" scheme in New Mexico.

Gregg said he thought it was better to withdraw now, rather than later, once he realized "it wouldn't be a good fit."

"I do believe that I can be more effective for this presidency in the Senate than on his Cabinet," Gregg said. "This was simply a bridge too far for me. I said yes, that was my mistake, not (Obama's)."