President Obama said he will nominate Rep. John M. McHugh of New York, ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, to be secretary of the Army.

It isn’t the first time that Obama has chosen a Republican for a top post. One example is that Obama decided to keep on Robert Gates as secretary of defense, a holdover from the Republican Bush administration.

McHugh just recently had ascended to the ranking Republican post on the committee, after Rep. Duncan Hunter of California retired.

After the announcement, McHugh drew plaudits from both sides of the aisle.

For example, the committee chairman, Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), congratulated McHugh on his impending nomination.

"Congressman McHugh took the reins as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee in January, but he has been a leader on this committee for years and previously served as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel," Skelton said.

"I enjoy a strong and cordial working relationship with Congressman McHugh and I regret he will be leaving the House. However, the House Armed Services Committee will work closely with the new Secretary of the Army after his confirmation and we will continue to call upon his experience and expertise."

McHugh may be succeeded as the ranking Republican by any of several GOP lawmakers.

For example, next in seniority is Rep. Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland.

Bartlett is one of the few scientists in Congress, and an expert on some matters vital to the committee, such as electromagnetic pulse (EMP), and on peak oil prices as well

EMP would result if an enemy detonated a nuclear weapon 300 miles or so high over the United States. Bartlett said that would knock out electrical generating plants, phones, communications devices, credit card transactions, and cars, buses and trucks. Planes would fall from the air. And without shipments of food, people in cities would starve to death.

As well, Bartlett is a college professor, and a farmer.

Others interested in the ranking Republican post include Reps. Howard McKeon of California, and Mac Thornberry of Texas.