President Obama to nominate Republican Rep. John M. McHugh

[cal04]

Source: New York Times

Representative John M. McHugh, a Republican congressman from New York, will be nominated by President Obama to be secretary of the Army, according to officials, as the administration continues to reach into the ranks of the opposition for executive appointments.

Mr. Obama formally offered the Pentagon position to the lawmaker on Monday afternoon, and his nomination is expected to be announced later on Tuesday, officials said. Mr. McHugh would join former House Republican colleague Ray LaHood of Illinois, the secretary of transportation, in the Obama administration.

The nine-term House member, who represents a sprawling northern New York district that includes the Fort Drum Army base, is the senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee and has a solid reputation with members of both parties for his knowledge of military affairs. He also serves on the Board of Visitors for the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The nomination would give Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, a holdover from the Bush administration, a Republican voice at the Pentagon. Mr. McHugh’s resignation would spur a second special House election in New York, where Democrats managed to hold on to a Republican-leaning seat earlier this spring after Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to the Senate.






Read more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/obama-to-name-ny-congressman-the-army-secretary/?hp

[onehandle]

1. Because we're weak on defense?

That's enough Republicans, please.

[rurallib]

2. no kidding. I hope they clean out the Bushco holdovers soon also.

[Infinite Hope]

9. First, he's opening another congressional seat for a potential Democrat...

Second, we shouldn't require a Democrat to be appointed. Not everything has hidden meanings. Simmuh don nah.

[onehandle]

12. I do realize that. I just would have rather had a Democrat in that Military position.

I was fine with keeping Gates on.

[Posteritatis]

18. Keep in mind there's still a Democrat in the top military position (nt)

[FLAprogressive]

3. Change We Can Believe In!

[nc4bo]

8. Isn't it now> nt.

[cottonseed]

14. You come up with that all by yourself?

[LibDemAlways]

4. Why? Looks to me like Obama is

buying into the repuke nonsense that Dems are "weak on defense." Bad move.

[pasto76]

5. Democrats would be nice - just give my soldiers someone who knows what the F they are doing

[SkyDaddy7]

6. I think that is what Obama is doing.

[Tempest]

15. That's what Obama is doing.

McHugh is a good choice considering his background.

And he's opening up another seat for a possible Democratic gain.

[CTM1978]

7. Just fucking perfect Obama, go ahead and give the right another talking point....

That Dems are soft on national security.

[JDPriestly]

10. Who are McHugh's friends in the defense industry?

Is this appointment a sign of corruption? Or is McHugh above corruption? Does anyone know anything about him?

How did McHugh's district vote in the last presidential election and how did the results compare with prior presidential elections?

In other words, does this appointment make sense, i.e., is it the appointment of an honest man to this office and will it really open a seat for a Democrat or is that just wishful thinking?

[WePurrsevere]

16. He's my Congressman.

This is a fairly purple area of NY and he's more of an old style Republican then most are now. He has a reputation for not voting lock step with the party and has been known to cross those lines more then most.

Of course the best thing about this is that McHugh has had a lock on this position for a long time... maybe we can get a Democrat in now. :)

Here's more info on McHugh:
http://www.veteranstoday.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=7088

McHugh is a moderate who has crossed party lines to vote with Democrats more than most House Republicans -- 26 percent of the time in the 110th Congress (2007-08), more than all but 11 other House Republicans.

The nine-term lawmaker has long served on the Armed Services Committee and is well-versed in both the broad policy issues and everyday challenges facing the Army. McHugh was chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee for six years before Democrats took control of the House in 2007; he understands issues that affect military personnel and their families, from medical care to pay bonuses. And McHugh has represented Fort Drum, a major Army base that trains some 80,000 soldiers annually.

McHugh also has been a critic of Obama's proposed level of defense spending and some of his proposed cutbacks in weapons, such as missile defense initiatives. He has been supportive, though wary, of the buildup of troops in Afghanistan and the drawdown of forces in Iraq.

Also:
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=26986&type=category&category=66

[ohio2007]

11. makes it easier to fire if the shit hits the fan before October nt

[Agent William]

13. OMG this is mcHUGH!1!1!

[No Elephants]

17. Reinforcing the Pub meme that Democrats are weak on defense. Gates

was one thing. Justifying this is a lot harder, unless you truly do believe that Republicans are better for national defense.

[damntexdem]

19. If he keeps this up, there are going to be no Rethugs left in Congress.

Hmmm! ;-)