US President Barack Obama has inducted another Republican into his Cabinet,appointing Senator Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary to replace New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson who had withdrawn his name. Obama,a Democrat who is facing difficulties in getting the support of Republican lawmakers to his recovery and reinvestment plan,said yesterday that at this hour of crisis the country needs bipartisan support to revive the US economy. "With the stakes this high,we cannot afford to get trapped in the same old partisan gridlock," he said,adding that is why he has been working so closely with leaders of both parties on a recovery and reinvestment plan. Obama said Senator Gregg is the right person to head the Commerce Department at this point of time to help guide it towards the Administration's economic goals. The goals are to make sure that the underpinnings of the economy are sound; economic infrastructure is rebuilt to handle the traffic of the global economy; US' cutting-edge science and technology remain envy of the world; its policies promote innovative and competitive nature of this economy and facilitate incubation and commercialisation of US' startups and small businesses. Gregg is Republican Party's most respected voices and skillful negotiators and is the third Republican to have been inducted into the Cabinet. Other two Republicans in the Obama Cabinet are Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "He (Gregg) is a master of reaching across the aisle to get things done," Obama said. "He'll be an outstanding addition to the depth and experience of my economic team,a trusted voice in my Cabinet,and an able and persuasive Ambassador for industry who makes it known to the world that America is open for business," the President said.
