"It is almost certain, though no one can 'prove' it, that Judd Gregg changed his mind about being Sec. of Commerce at least partly because he learned he would NOT be able to control the census!"

You may have the words right, BillD, but the reasoning wrong. I see this as a cynical action by President Obama--assuming, as I do, that his original appointment of Gregg was sincere--when he was pressured by the Black and Hispanic caucuses.

The fact that this major duty of the Department would be micromanaged by the Democrat version of Karl Rove undercuts the importance of the appointment...a vote of no confidence re: the appointee. If Gregg cannot be trusted to honestly participate in this census, what makes him trustworthy for any part of the job? Gregg rightly gave up the position, and did so in a non-political, gentlemanly way.