Gregg steps out of the running for Commerce chief

Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., withdrew his nomination for Commerce secretary on Thursday, citing differing views with President Obama on the economic stimulus and oversight of the U.S. Census Bureau.

"Obviously, the president requires a team that is fully supportive of all of his initiatives," Gregg said.

In a statement, Gregg said he Obama discussed the differences during the nominating process 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."

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, "Sen. Gregg reached out to the president and offered his name for Secretary of Commerce. He was very clear throughout the interviewing process that despite past disagreements about policies, he would support, embrace, and move forward with the president's agenda. Once it became clear after his nomination that Sen. Gregg was not going to be supporting some of President Obama's key economic priorities, it became necessary for Sen. Gregg and the Obama administration to part ways. We regret that he has had a change of heart."