WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke is President Obama’s “likely pick” to be Commerce Secretary, according to senior administration officials and other Democratic officials familiar with the matter.
The officials said the announcement, which will be the President’s third unveiling of a Commerce nominee, could happen as early as Wednesday.
Obama has had trouble filling the post, which is expected to be a key part of his economic team. Republican Sen. Judd Gregg (N.H.) dropped out of contention earlier this month after saying he had second thoughts about his ability to work in a Democratic administration. The first choice for the job, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, stepped aside after acknowledging a grand jury investigation in his home state had become a distraction.
Locke was the first Asian-American ever elected to serve as a governor in the United States in 1996. If confirmed, he will be the third Asian-American in the Obama Cabinet, joining Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki.
(Updated 5:45 p.m.)
From CNN Politics
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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.
The United Colors of Benetton is complete.
As long as he is not caught with a live boy or a dead girl, the guy has
a chance.
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.
Does he belong to the "Skull and Bones Cult too,like Bush.Obama,and Robert Gates,just to mention a few?
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.
wow, that diverse!
I live here in washington and I like our Former Gov. He is cool. He puts his head down and do his job......
Third Asian in his cabinet is to signal to China and Japan: Please don't dump those treasuries securities"
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
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.
@ 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?
Hey, if that little scared chicken Gregg Judd CAN'T HANDLE THE JOB, we don't want him!
Welcome aboard Mr. Locke!
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.
Great now Obama is selling out our country to China. First Hillary's comments and now this.
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!
Bet there are less Asians with tax troubles than whites and blacks haha
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.
I think the position is cursed. Do we really need this function of government?
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.
Foley was an ephibophile; theres a huge difference. (into people just barely legal, or slightly below legal).
and when did you pay your past due taxes?
*yawns* Typical racist & stupid comment comments.
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.
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.