Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke may be next commerce secretary

[Ediacara]

Source: Seattle P-I

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- A senior administration official says that President Barack Obama's likely third pick for Commerce secretary is former Washington Gov. Gary Locke.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not yet been made.

Locke was the nation's first Chinese-American governor when he served two terms in the Washington statehouse from 1997 to 2005.

Read more: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/401137_locke24.html

[martymar64]

1. Locke would be OK

Better than any effing Rethuglican, that's for sure.

[Ediacara]

2. I agree, I'm not a big fan of Locke, but Locke versus Gregg? No fucking contest!

[elleng]

6. Pros and Cons, please.

.

[Aristus]

16. Pro: Mona Lee Locke is majorly HAWT!

[elleng]

17. Doesn't get him my vote.

.

[Ediacara]

21. I lived in Washington for only part of his term

He was elected twice by large margins because the GOP put up total blowhards. In 1996, the candidate was a far right Dominionist that would make Huckleberry look like a Trotskyite. In 2000, the candidate was an utterly unqualified radio talk show Limbaugh wannabe.

Unfortunately, despite having majorities in both houses, he let the state government be run by a transit hating tax hating libertarian pea brain initiative writer. Instead of using the bully pulpit to praise the way that little-r republicanism operates and explaining the need to tax the population for essential government services, especially transit; he pushed the legislature to reenact every provision in an initiative that jackass put on the ballot. The legislature had to do this because the state supreme court declared it unconstitutional.

The pea brained jackass (Tim Eyeman) turned into a professional initiative writer and was more powerful than Locke and the legislature combined.

[TheLastInspector]

19. Due Diligence Required in Locke Pick

There are some important national security and anti-corporate corruption reasons Locke should be looked at carefully before being given this critical post:

http://eastmans.web.aplus.net/pblog/index.php

His families’ close China heritage and his supporting the management of the corporation currently most akin to Enron while he was Governor of Washington state is problematic–most notably for our national security.

China is an extremely fickle trading partner to the U.S. who plans militarily against us behind the scenes and has spies in place in this country.

We need a Commerce secretary who is not blinded by his perhaps overly benign and personally skewed view of the true intentions and plans of the Chinese government.

[Ediacara]

20. Wait... are you accusing Locke of being a Chinese govt plant?

[marshall]

27. I think they're being a little more circumspect in announcing picks now

No need to jump the gun before all the groundwork is done.

[FLAprogressive]

3. 1/21/03: "DLC New Dem of the Week: Gary Locke"

http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=251169&kaid=104&subid=116

no thank you!

[martymar64]

8. For the most part, I'd agree with you

But, I do want to see Obama have a full team to work with this year. Also I think that since Obama is the boss and since he is proving to be actually more progressive than anticipated on SOME things, I'm willing to trust his judgment in picking Locke (Ha! I made a funny!)

BTW, I'm no fan of the DLC. Ask any other of the DLCers here, they all hate me. But Obama will be the one ultimately setting the agenda, not some Cabinet flunkie, DLC or not.

[FLAprogressive]

10. true but there a LOT of DLC flunkies in there......

[martymar64]

15. I've noticed that too . . .

I hope that Obama has the judgment to fire their asses if they stray from his plan.

[DireStrike]

9. Hah, that was quick.

What else did I expect. Sigh.

[jaxx]

4. I hope he's paid his damn taxes.

[bluestateguy]

5. How many of these stupid rumors and trial ballons will we have to endure before he picks someone?

Either pick someone, or cool it with the leaks and trial ballons.

[fujiyama]

18. I'm with you

Just appoint someone and get it over with.

And this time, appoint a fucking Democrat. One and a hold over is enough republicans (IS Robert Gates a republican?) in the cabinet anyways.

Or DON'T appoint someone to Commerce. It doesn't sound like a particularly meaningful cabinet position anyways. In this case, it's almost insulting being the third pick for the position...that too after a republican!

[the_chinuk]

7. Well, he may not be the best, but at least he's less worse

As I recall, he was a decent Gov when Washington had him.

He'd do quite well, I think.

[FLAprogressive]

12. not by much....he's a DLCer

[Diane R]

11. He supported Hillary in the primary. He was a decent (not fabulous) governor.

Pluses: He is Chinese-American, and has really good relations with China and the Middle East. He has done a good job of building good trade relations for Washington State.

Downside: He didn't leave the state in a really wonderful position, and he is a bit too 'centrist democrat' for my taste.

On balance, he wouldn't be the worst. He might be a really good representative to Asia.

[LisaM]

13. When he was governor in Washington, he seemed pro-NAFTA to me

However, I don't see any evidence that NAFTA is going anywhere soon, so that may be irrelevant.

[FLAprogressive]

14. he's DLC...so pro-NAFTA kind of comes with the package

[Jennicut]

22. Who cares? He is a Dem. Hopefully he paid his taxes. Just pick someone

and get it over with already.

[keopeli]

23. I've lived in WA since 93. Let me give you some Locke history and personal opinions

His early forays into government were marked by a support for a controversial group at the time called Hands Off Washington which lobbied for a pro-gay agenda. They really helped him get elected. So, he cut his political teeth by being an advocate of gay rights.

He spent many years as the King County Commissioner - a powerful post regarding commercial and trade interests in WA most populous county. He was viewed as a good leader with a steady hand. He was a centrist, but only by WA standards. A centrist here would be a liberal pinko-commie in many red states.

His governorship was marked by a period of high prosperity - the tech bubble. He helped pass a mass transit plan that went belly-up after he left office because of a lack of leadership.

As a centrist Dem in WA, he was able to work well with the many conservatives who run the biggest companies in the state - though not completely. Remember that a Democratic Centrist in WA is very different than a Democratic Centrist in Arkansas.

His term as gov was punctuated by the exodus of Boeing headquarters from Seattle to Chicago after an almost 100 year history between WA and Boeing. This sad tale was probably his biggest failure.

After he left office, he began work in the private sector assisting companies in working with China and other parts of Asia. This was part of a legacy started and actively promoted by the last Dem President - Clinton.

On a personal note, I am acquainted with Locke and his family. They are a kindhearted family of good people. He works well with both conservatives and liberals - a very good diplomat.

Locke is not much in to self-promotion any more, so this post probably came to him (compared to Richardson who is a tireless self-promoter).

I have no doubt he will sail through confirmation. He's fastidious and honest.

I think he will work well with the Obama team and wholeheartedly endorse his appointment to Commerce Sec'y.

Congrats, Governor!

PS - I encourage other Washingtonians to contribute with different perspectives.

[dana_b]

25. thanks for the info! n/t

[dana_b]

24. he's my boss's cousin

of course she likes him! I need to read more about him.

[Romulox]

26. Let me guess: ANOTHER neoliberal "free trader", right? nt