Over at Hot Air:

If Gregg hits the media circuit to criticize Porkulus, his credibility as an Obama appointee will create a lot of heat on other Republicans and even a few Democrats to stop the runaway train of this bill and force it back into debate.

Judd Gregg just became one of the most powerful men in Washington. (Kudlow wants him to run for President.) When he hits the stimulus, or any other administration economic proposal, what is the Obama camp going to say? That he’s an ignorant, ideological maniac? They were ready to put him in charge of the Commerce Department (but not, apparently, the Census Bureau). Obama’s words from the announcement:

When the book is written about Judd Gregg, it will tell the story of a man with his own proud record of service on behalf of the American people. As a businessman, attorney, state executive councilor, congressman, governor in his own right, and now as a senator, he’s seen from all angles what makes our economy work for communities, businesses, and families–and what keeps it from working better. As former chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Judd has been involved in nearly every facet of public policy. And as Commerce Subcommittee chair on the Senate Appropriations Committee, he’s already quite familiar with the department I’ve chosen him to lead.
Judd is famous–or infamous, depending on your perspective–on Capitol Hill for his strict fiscal discipline. It’s not that he enjoys saying “no”–although if it’s directed at your bill you might feel that way–it’s that he shares my deep-seated commitment to guaranteeing that our children inherit a future they can afford.
Clearly, Judd and I don’t agree on every issue–most notably who should have won the election. (Laughter.) But we agree on the urgent need to get American businesses and families back on their feet. We see eye to eye on conducting the nation’s business in a responsible, transparent, and accountable manner. And we know the only way to solve the great challenges of our time is to put aside stale ideology and petty partisanship, and embrace what works.
As one of the Republican Party’s most respected voices and skillful negotiators, Judd is a master of reaching across the aisle to get things done.

Because he was good enough, smart enough, reasonable enough, etc., for Team Obama, Gregg has been handed unique credibility to criticize the Administration.

I know, I know. Inevitably we’ll hear, “This is not the Judd Gregg I knew.”