Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) has withdrawn his nomination for Secretary of Commerce citing too many differences with the president on issues such as the census and stimulus package.

Update: Here’s Gregg’s statement on his withdrawal. He’s actually taking a stand against the administration. Good for him.

“I want to thank the President for nominating me to serve in his Cabinet as Secretary of Commerce. This was a great honor, and I had felt that I could bring some views and ideas that would assist him in governing during this difficult time. I especially admire his willingness to reach across the aisle.

“However, it has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me. Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.

“Obviously the President requires a team that is fully supportive of all his initiatives.

More: Michelle Malkin, Hot Air.

Obama is at a Caterpillar plant now, lying through his teeth and schmoozing the workers. Pretending like the goal of the stimulus is really to help ordinary Americans rather than pay back the people who got him into office at the expense of future generations. Yet another campaign speech. Puke-worthy.

“Politics has to stop.” Yeah, perhaps you could start with the Congressional Democrats who froze Republicans out of negotiations on the stimulus bill, Obamby.