what sort of chess move is this?

Is Obama's choice/consideration of Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) a function of Gregg's expertise, a voluntary-Affirmative-Action-like move to diversify his cabinet, &/or a political ploy to eliminate another Republican in the Senate?

In any case, whatever the motives, the GOP has to worry about the implications of losing the ability to filibuster.

As James Carroll starts off in his C-J piece yesterday...

A bit of chess, Leader [Mitch] McConnell?...

the politically fascinating gambit: Obama picks Gregg, which then triggers a new Senate appointment from New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch -- a Democrat.

[If so, with 60 Democratic votes...] The GOP's ability to counter Obama and congressional Democrats in the Senate, assuming the Democrats remained together, would be gone.

McConnell must depend upon the kindness of a stranger, i.e., Lynch, to preserve his standing as Washington's most powerful and influential Republican...

Or more likely an extra-legal but hopefully-binding agreement-- as now appears to be the subject of negotiation.

Congressional Quarterly reported Friday that Gregg has been negotiating with Lynch to choose a Republican replacement. Without that understanding, Gregg would stay put, according to CQ.

But Gregg also has to think about his job prospects in 2010, when he is up for re-election. Republicans haven't been faring too well in the Granite State of late. Ask former Republican Sen. John Sununu, who lost to Democrat Jeanne Shaheen in November.