"...Gregg had solicited the job..."

Another word could have been used besides "solicit". Notice how subtle shading affects our response to a statement.

Actually, Senator Gregg sent a "letter of availability" to the presidential staff. Dozen, perhaps hunderds of people do this when a new administration comes in.

Judd Gregg will not run for re-election when his seat is up in 2010, so a 4-8 year stint may have served both the Senator and the administration well.