well..note in my post of 2:04 that I said:

"...Gregg changed his mind about being Sec. of Commerce at least **partly** because...."

I have no reason to doubt that what he said was true...as far as it went...but I am also 79.526% convinced that the census part was the deal breaker. He, after all, was once ready to totally abolish Commerce!. He just saw no advantage in giving up his last 2 years of being Senator unless he could ummmmm.... accomplish something. Naturally, if I am correct, it is not something he would ever admit.

To his credit, he did make a very gracious speech in his withdrawal, saying nice things about Obama & the offer...but it WAS strange timing.

There are some behind-the-scenes discussions that we may never learn about.