And Judd Gregg makes three. Three Republicans in President Obama’s cabinet. First Robert Gates, then Ray LaHood and now Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary. The announcement is today.

 I don’t think there’s any question that President Obama is trying to reach out across the aisle. Some will call this a shrewd political move because it will open up Gregg’s Republican seat in 2010 and the Democrats may have a good chance at winning it. That may be true but that aside, it’s hard to argue that Obama is not trying to break down old Washington DC partisan habits.

His cabinet picks have helped craft this image along with all of the reaching out to Republicans. So far it hasn’t translated into actual GOP votes but Obama is taking the long view and that make sense. Over time his extended hand to Republicans may garner more support for his initiatives.

The challenge for Obama is going to be when it comes to rhetoric. There will come a day (probably pretty soon) when wrangling over a bill will get so contentious up on Capitol Hill that both parties will get nasty at dueling press conferences. Speaker Pelosi will start to play the blame game and Boehner and company will fight back. Reid and McConnell will also go at it publicly. President Obama will then somehow, someway need to step in and say to Pelosi and company enough! Obama wants a more civil tone in DC. To achieve it, he’s going to have to put his foot down with “The Usual Suspects” when it comes to partisan bluster. Those “Usual Suspects” will most likely be political heavyweights within his own party. Take my word. If he can’t “control” the forthcoming nasty rhetoric from his own party, the looming danger is that the media will seize upon this idea that President Obama doesn’t have the sway to curtail his own party. Danger Will Robinson. Watch the meltdown here.

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