Ha. I been calling for Gary Locke to be Commerce Secretary for months,

[Perky]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7903613 Thu Nov-20-08 08:29 PM

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8192785 Thu Feb-12-09 06:42 PM

[elocs]

1. Good for you, but I still don't know who the hell he is. n/t

[uppityperson]

2. ex-gov of WA. Here is a clip from wiki, telling why "may have" left office.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Locke_(politician)

...In a surprise move, Locke announced in July 2003 that he would not seek a third term,<7> saying, "Despite my deep love of our state, I want to devote more time to my family."<7>

Susan Paynter, a columnist at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, suggested that slurs, insults, and threats that Locke and his family received, especially the large number which came after his rebuttal to George W. Bush's 2003 State of the Union address, played a role in Locke's decision to leave office after two terms.<8> The governor's office received hundreds of threatening letters and e-mails; others threatened to kill his children.<8>...

Edited to add link to article noted above.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/paynter/132272_paynter25.html

Threats to Locke's family are a factor in third-term decision

Something scary and sickening lurks like a stalker behind the pretty picture of Gov. Gary Locke leaving office to spend more time with his small son and daughter. It's true Locke decided that a run for a third term would leave scant time to savor the joys and discoveries of being an everyday dad.

But ugly threats against Locke's family, specifically his kids, contributed in some measure to the governor's decision. And, however you feel about Locke as a leader, that sinister fact should worry everyone in the state.

A column I wrote last month on the toll of nasty personal attacks on public people got Sen. Ken Jacobsen thinking about the threats he'd heard against the Lockes. So, after the governor announced his decision, Jacobsen called with a chill up his spine.

As far back as two years ago, Jacobsen said, other legislators told him they believed Locke was leaning against another run. And at least part of that was due to the potential menace and pinheaded meanness another election might expose his children to....

"There were definitely death threats on his kids," Jacobsen said. "It wasn't really reported at the time. But a man was arrested just a few months ago for having made some of those threats just after Locke was elected to a second term."

[Jim Sagle]

3. He's a piece of "free trade" shit.

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. A little stronger than I would have put it

But sadly, not entirely innacurate.

[Perky]

6. He is ideal for dealing with the Rise of China.

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. He helped enable the Rise of China

Not nearly as much as Poppy Bush and his brother Prescott Jr. did, of course. But as Governor, he made a lot of trade deals around the Pacific Rim.

[BlooInBloo]

5. I think that's like 3 or 4 WA people in the cabinet now, isn't it? We RULE!!

:rofl:

[Sebastian Doyle]

8. It's about goddamn time too.

regardless of my lukewarm feelings toward Gary Locke himself, it's good to see OUR Washington representin' for once.