Politics | 02/24/2009 8:30 am

Obama 'Likely' Picked Gov. Gary Locke As Commerce Secretary

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

President Obama’s probably hoping that the old saying is true: "third time’s a charm." That’s because the Obama Administration will "likely" announce Gary Locke as their pick for Commerce Secretary, according to an aide and various reports.

Locke, the former Governor of Washington state, would be the third possible candidate. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson dropped out because of an ongoing investigation into state contracts, while Senator Judd Gregg dropped his bid last week, citing irreconcilable differences with the White House’s plans.

Locke, who was the first Chinese-American governor ever in U.S. history and would become the third Asian American in Obama’s Cabinet if confirmed, is viewed as business-friendly and pro-trade.

Locke now focuses on energy and government relations for a law firm in Seattle, with an emphasis on China. That experience will no doubt come in handy as the Obama administration seeks to maintain trade relations with the communist nation and work in tandem to solve the global economic crisis. Locke’s work with big business may worry some labor leaders, the New York Times writes, but many will still views him in a more favorable light than they did Gregg.

Given all that, The Washington Post says Locke is a safe bet:

After several high-profile misfires emerged in the Cabinet selection process, Locke is regarded as a safe choice by senior officials in the Obama administration, given his long history in public life, his straight-laced reputation and his bipartisan governing credentials. His steady — and generally popular — tenure as governor of Washington was the biggest factor in his selection.

Now, let’s hope Locke doesn’t have any skeletons. Obama’s administration needs to be put in place and get to work!

9 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

This guy sounds like he would be a good choice, just hope this one goes through with no problems.

By caj p on 02/24/2009 9:26 am

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I hope this is a good choice too.

By Grande Camper on 02/24/2009 10:06 am

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Sounds like an excellent choice to me. We’ll see. In the end, we may be fortunate that the first two candidates had to step away. Let’s hope Locke can dive right in. I’m pretty sure Washington is NOT a right-to-work state, so even if he is pro-management, he’s at least familiar with the considerations of an organized labor force. I hope I’m right.

By Ms. Dee on 02/24/2009 10:06 am

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Let’s cross our fingers and hope he passes. As many have said in the past, if we are seeking perfection in any man or woman for this position, we’re going to be looking a loooooong time! There comes a point when we have to focus on their skills, abilities, professional history and the attributes they will bring to the job and less on financial hiccups.

By Belinda Joy on 02/24/2009 11:03 am

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The Chinagate/Buddhist temple cash skeletons in Gary Locke’s closet

"It’s illegal to funnel campaign contributions through straw donors. It’s illegal for tax-exempt churches to hold campaign fund-raisers. It’s illegal to accept money from foreign citizens who are not permanent residents of this country. It’s illegal to file false public disclosure forms (four years after the temple fundraisers, PDC records were not amended with the Buddhist monks’ correct addresses and occupations). It’s illegal to commit perjury to cover up a political money-laundering scheme.

In a trade-dependent state such as Washington state, the incentive to engage in quid pro quos is high. At Commerce, it’s even higher. Locke’s campaign finance scandal-tainted past raise sserious issues about his judgment. His cozy relations with the Chinese government and favor-currying add even more doubt.

Locke and his cronies escaped public accountability in their home state, where the media demonstrated systemic incompetence and indifference to the law-breaking and ethical improprieties. Looks like Team Obama is betting on similar largesse from the national media." (MM)

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/02/24/the-chinagatebuddhist-temple-cash-skeletons-in-gary-lockes-closet/

By Libra Lady on 02/24/2009 12:18 pm

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WELL FRIEND LIBRA LADY , I AM ON YOUR SIDE I WONDER IF ANYONE ELSE KNOWS SOME OF THE STUFF THAT SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO KNJOW NEEDS TO KNOW.

ANOTHER THING THAT COMES TO MY MIND ARE THE WORDS COMMUNIST COUNTRY. WHAT IF WE DO NOT KNOW THAT HE RUNS HIS LIFE LIKE THEY SAY TO RUN HIS LIFE? NEEDS TO KNOW. SOMEONE NEEDS TO WONDER WHY CAN A PERSON WHO WAS NOT BORN IN THE UNITED STATES IS ABLE TO RUN THE COUNTRY IN ANYWAY? ANY OFFICE? ANY THUING COMING IN ANYWHERE?

By newzie snoozie on 03/03/2009 9:49 pm

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That didn’t take long to dig up…

By Cheryl Mitchell on 02/24/2009 12:43 pm

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As the presumptive Secretary of Commerce, former Gov. and King County exec Gary Locke first has to pass the pre-announcement stage, the post-announcement stage, and, finally, confirmation. There is the added stress factor that Obama’s two prior choices for the cabinet seat flamed out, so he’s got to be squeaky clean. The Seattle Times today says he’s exactly that, so it must be true.

Of course, there was that memory loss and all those "I don’t recall … I don’t remember" statements to Congressional investigators in 1999, probing his gubernatorial campaign fund-raising efforts; the astonishing $3.2 billion tax break he gave to Boeing while never disclosing he paid $715,000 to - and relied on the advice of - Boeing’s own private consultant and outside auditor for advice; and those favors for his brother-in-law (who lived in the governor’s mansion), including a tax break for his relative’s company, personal intervention in a company dispute, and Locke’s signature on a federal loan application for the company.

Other than that, yes, squeaky clean.

http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2009/02/gary_locke_another_obama_mispi.php

By Libra Lady on 02/24/2009 1:49 pm

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That didn’t take long is there anyone on the plant without skeletons of some sort.? Anyone who has been in politics has mud slung at them and some of it sticks.

By starry Nite on 02/24/2009 4:46 pm