New Hampshire voters not only chose Barack Obama in November, but they voted out of office another prominent political son, then-Sen. John E. Sununu (R-N.H.), whose father had been governor and later White House chief of staff.
"In modern-day New Hampshire, no Republican has an easy election," Buckley said.
Amy Walter, editor in chief of the Hotline, a daily news service devoted to politics, countered that Gregg would be a formidable candidate.
"It's clear to me that New Hampshire is trending blue. But he is in a much stronger position than his former colleague, John Sununu, in 2008. . . . There are certainly Republicans who have been able to figure out how to win despite unfavorable head winds," Walter said.
Gregg, a third-term senator, is conservative on trade and tax issues, which has won him strong marks from the business community.
He is also a conservative on social issues, which could prove an obstacle in confirmation hearings. He fought legislation in the last Congress to outlaw job discrimination against gay people.
Gregg is considered a tough legislative player who provided reliable support for President Bush, though he once admitted to doubts about Bush's troop buildup in Iraq.
There is no ambiguity about his business record. He received a 100% score from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for his votes in 2006, while earning just 7% from the AFL-CIO.
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peter.nicholas@latimes.com
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Tom Hamburger of our Washington bureau contributed to this article.
