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yonip, if you paid ttention, you would notice that he is the first CHINESE american governor, not first asian. remarkable choice mr. president!

And the winner is....In case the winner can not fulfill their duties then the runner up....wait in case the winner and the runner up can not fulfill their duties, then the runner up to the runner up to the winner can hopefully do the job. But seriously, Congratulation to Gov. Locke for being President Obama's third best choice. The starter, 2nd string and now the 3rd string is in... what is next equipment manager

Why is it that we are playing partisan games? When you look at what Bush and Cheney did, not paying your taxes seems so little...

If the man has paid his taxes, hire him. This is just too hard to fill this position.

Be careful to vet him head-to-toe, in a fatidious fashion, dear BHO! The commerce secretary post is facin' the fury of some fateful fiery phantom's curse so much that the next person for the job should also be an exorcist.

Even with Locke, BO's regime will still be embarrassingly white. Not that I mind that at all. Seems that "diversity" and competence are mutually exclusive.

@Matt:

I'm not sure about Commerce, but Education would be the first to go if it was up to me.

*yawns* Typical racist & stupid comment comments.

and when did you pay your past due taxes?

Foley was an ephibophile; theres a huge difference. (into people just barely legal, or slightly below legal).

George Ariyoshi, two term Hawaii Governor first elected in 1974, was the first Asian American Governor in U.S. history...you probably just forgot that Hawaii is the 50th State.

I think the position is cursed. Do we really need this function of government?

I think former Washington governor Gary Locke would be an excellent choice for the Obama administration. I may not have supported Barack Obama early on, but the way he is handling matters, it is definitely appealing to me. Too bad he did not do the same to help HRC after the primary season.

Bet there are less Asians with tax troubles than whites and blacks haha

Who would have thought that finding an honest person to fill a cabinet position would be so difficult...then again, they are looking for a democrat!

Great now Obama is selling out our country to China. First Hillary's comments and now this.

Brian G. from Sugarland, TX needs to get a life. His Obama bashing is childish and shows what a dope HE really is. A month in office and the idiot haters jump on any little thing to try and prove they were right for not voting for him. Such typical foolishness is so tired.

Hey, if that little scared chicken Gregg Judd CAN'T HANDLE THE JOB, we don't want him!

Welcome aboard Mr. Locke!

@ Dittohead who said "as a washington state resident, this the best we have to offer???? he helped chase boeing out of seattle.
---–

NO, dittohead, BOEING chased boeing out of Washington. Boeing also outsourcing assembly to China....so who is chasing out who?

As a WA state resident, I can say that this guy is an awesome pick. He is fair and is also not an enemy of business. Just the guy you need.

He will do well, he did when he was in charge of our state. Lots of Commerce experience and cred.

GOPS that are worth praise:

Rep Session of Texas: "we should be more like the taliban".
Larry craig: not gay in theory but actuality is.
Rush Limbaugh: oxy addict
haggard:
mark Foley: P@DEOPHILE

Third Asian in his cabinet is to signal to China and Japan: Please don't dump those treasuries securities"

I live here in washington and I like our Former Gov. He is cool. He puts his head down and do his job......

wow, that diverse!

I'm not from Washington but I know Fmr, Gov. Locke served two terms from 1997-2005. But the reason main reason he didn't run for a third term was because right-wing nutjobs threatened him and his family after he gave the Democratic response to G.W's State of the Union in 2003. Maybe you should check the facts before you make yourself look foolish.

DJ eBAM February 23rd, 2009 5:25 pm ET

I live in Washington, and let me tell you….Gary Locke is the biggest screw-up in my states history. You would be hard pressed to find a Washingtonian with anything good to say about him. He didn't even run for another term because he knew he had no chance in hell of winning. He turned our state's $2 Billion surplus into a $1 Billion dollar debt in only 4 years (2001-2005)! This would be, hands down, Obama's WORST cabinet pick to date.

Does he belong to the "Skull and Bones Cult too,like Bush.Obama,and Robert Gates,just to mention a few?

At this moment of time, we just want a commerce secretary. Mr. President, please don't make a mistake again. The process of transition started so smooth and now, it as become one of the laughing stocks of this administration.

As long as he is not caught with a live boy or a dead girl, the guy has

a chance.

The United Colors of Benetton is complete.

I'm not from Washington but I know Fmr, Gov. Locke served two terms from 1997-2005. Maybe you should check the facts before you make yourself look foolish.

DJ eBAM February 23rd, 2009 5:25 pm ET

I live in Washington, and let me tell you….Gary Locke is the biggest screw-up in my states history. You would be hard pressed to find a Washingtonian with anything good to say about him. He didn't even run for another term because he knew he had no chance in hell of winning. He turned our state's $2 Billion surplus into a $1 Billion dollar debt in only 4 years (2001-2005)! This would be, hands down, Obama's WORST cabinet pick to date.

Locke will fit right in. He has experience doubling the deficit.

Interesting to note that Obama found an American of Hispanic, then White, then Asian descent to fill this spot which proves that ANY BUSINESS CAN find diverse, qualified candidates for senior managerment positions if they try.

Also I'm sure there were some racists that were belly aching that Obama's entire cabinet would be black. The truth is, there are as many Asian Americans as African Americans on his senior leadership team.

Dittohead@5:44==== The last time I checked, Boeing was still in the Seattle area. They may have moved their headquarters but the plane building is still here. Locke will be just fine in this position. DJeBam===I am a Washington citizen and I approve of Mr Locke.

George Ariyoshi was elected Governer of the State of Hawaii back in the '70's. Doesn't he count as an asian-american?

Damn...who knew the Sec. of Commerce position will be this hard to fill or such a media buzzworthy story!

I just hope that nothing comes out on this new guy. Can they fill the position already so we can be done with this story?!

Ha ha ha ..... back to abacus. Don't complain now.

Wow.... the haters are out today! The far-right used to complain ALL the time that the Democrats criticized Bush! Calling everyone who dared to criticize "W" as being....... UNPATRIOTIC!

However..........now....... well, they are ragging on President Obama constantly!

WHAT HAPPENED? Is the far-right unpatriotic? No, just big hypocrites!

No matter what Obama does, whom he uses, etc., the far-right will be sure to criticize, condemn, complain, demean and lie about him!

CAN'T WAIT FOR OBAMA'S SUCCESS!

Obama's choices are, sadly to say, like everything else he has done, very bad. I think Obama should admit that he "screwed up' when he ran for president and go back to Chicago and back to work for ALCORN.

gee what a surprise another ethnic minority to round out this pc cabinet. and of course its one of those washington liberals who will want to legalize maryjuiana and open our borders to nafta. can you SMELL the socialism yet???

DJ eBAM has to be from "east of the mountains". Gov. Locke was a superb Governor and will make a superb commerce secretary. Of course the GOPers will require that he give a loyalty oath to the U.S. (he being of Chinese descent and all) and declare that he will not favor China in any trade negotiations, etc. You know, that same old GOPer ad hominem stuff they've used to distract the people from solving real issues.

Matthew, Detroit, you must have a crush on Obama.

@ Sniffit writes,

"Aaaaaaand here come the nonsensical tax comments…in 3..2..1…"

Why should Americans be concerned about any of Obama's nominees – and their compliance with US laws, right sniffer?

I propose John Locke from the "Lost" series. His talents are more utilitarian.

BARACK "okay boys and girls lets try to get it right this time, you are

making me look like a bigger dope than I am".

Business is Business! But where is the "Product of Confidence??

If this is true, Governor Locke would be a superb choice. His popularity and successes as Governor in Washington are well known. He is known for integrity and dedication to public service. He has a record that will him well deserved prominence in American public life and the possibilities of higher office should he so decide.

as a washington state resident, this the best we have to offer???? he helped chase boeing out of seattle.

Who ever this Gov. Gary Locke guy is, I just hope all his taxes are paid

Due to his business experience the former governor has a lock on the nomination.

They're probably making sure his taxes are paid before making this announcement!

First Chinese-American governor in U.S. history.

So, anyone want to throw out some odds on what scandal will keep him from fulfilling his job?

2/1 – Illegal Maid

11/5 – Lobbyist ties

3/1 – Locke was Client #6 in Spitzer's Friendship Ring

10/1 – He had someone murdered Soprano style

50/1 – Friend of Blago

2500/1 – Taxes (Is Obama really dumb enough to nominate someone who hasn't had every tax return revisited and turned upside down?)

I live in Washington, and let me tell you....Gary Locke is the biggest screw-up in my states history. You would be hard pressed to find a Washingtonian with anything good to say about him. He didn't even run for another term because he knew he had no chance in hell of winning. He turned our state's $2 Billion surplus into a $1 Billion dollar debt in only 4 years (2001-2005)! This would be, hands down, Obama's WORST cabinet pick to date.

there should be a whole list of questions to ask by now

Aaaaaaand here come the nonsensical tax comments...in 3..2..1...