Senator Gregg withdraws as Obama commerce pick

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican Senator Judd Gregg said on Thursday he was withdrawing as President Barack Obama's nominee to be Commerce secretary, another blow to the president's attempt to broaden support across party lines.

Gregg said he pulling out because of differences with the Democratic president over issues including the economic stimulus package and the country's census, which the Commerce Department would be responsible for implementing.

"Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns," the New Hampshire senator said in a statement.

"We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy," he said. "Obviously the president requires a team that is fully supportive of all his initiatives."

Gregg said there was nothing in background checks that had played a role in his decision, a problem that has plagued other nominees.

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