Andrew Sullivan puts together the whys and wherefores of Gregg's decision to withdraw. And then goes on to remind us what Gregg and, of course, the new president are up against. This also explains Gregg's decision not to run in '10. You already know who "they" are.
Their clear and open intent is to do all they can, however they can, to
sabotage the new administration (and the economy to boot). They want
failure. Even now. Even after the last eight years. Even in a recession
as steeply dangerous as this one. There are legitimate debates to be
had; and then there is the cynicism and surrealism of total political
war. We now should have even less doubt about what kind of people they
are. And the mountain of partisan vitriol Obama will have to climb
every day of the next four or eight years.
Gregg's withdrawal from the Obama administration and the Senate is very reminiscent of the decisions of a number of top GOP senators to retire prematurely in the early and mid-'90's. They couldn't in good conscience continue to work with the radicals and opportunists who make up the majority of a party. The Republican party has turned vicious in its dealings not only with their Democratic colleagues but with America itself.
