What is the story on the new nominee for the Commerce Dept.?

[JDPriestly]

(Gary) Locke, 59, was the nation's first Chinese-American governor, serving two terms in Washington from 1997 to 2005. He currently works for the Seattle-based law firm Davis Wright Tremaine on issues involving China, energy and governmental relations.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090225/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_commerce

Is Locke a lobbyist for the Chinese? What in the world is going on with this appointment?

[ColbertWatcher]

1. According to Wikip*dia, he's third generation American.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Locke

(Lots more at the link)

[ColbertWatcher]

2. WTF!? Dupe. n/t

[No.23]

3. Maybe this will help.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090222/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/as_clinton_china

BEIJING – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says Washington and Beijing must work together if the world is to rebound from the financial crisis and she wants the Chinese to remain committed to investing in America.

"I don't think it's realistic to expect that we will see global recovery without Chinese and American cooperation and leadership," she said during an interview Sunday with the popular talk show "One on One."

With the export-heavy Chinese economy reeling from the U.S. downturn, Clinton has sought in meetings with President Hu Jintao, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Premier Wen Jiabao to reassure Beijing that its massive holdings of U.S. Treasury notes and other government debt would remain a solid investment.

Yang responded that China wants to see its foreign exchange reserves — the world's largest at $1.95 trillion — invested safely and to continue working with the United States.

"I certainly do think that the Chinese government and central bank are making a smart decision by continuing to invest in Treasury bonds," Clinton said in the interview, shortly before departing for Washington. "It's a safe investment. The United States has a well-deserved financial reputation."

To boost the economy, the U.S has to incur more debt, she said. "It would not be in China's interest if we were unable to get our economy moving," Clinton said. "So by continuing to support American Treasury instruments, the Chinese are recognizing our interconnection. We are truly going to rise or fall together. We are in the same boat and, thankfully, we are rowing in the same direction.

"Our economies are so intertwined, the Chinese know that to start exporting again to their biggest market, namely the United States, the United States has to take some very drastic measures with this stimulus package, which means we have to incur more debt."

[leftstreet]

4. He could come under scrutiny if the Repubs want some political theater

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aoVCORLkqr7g&refer=home

Locke’s China Deals for Microsoft, Boeing May Draw Scrutiny


Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Gary Locke, President Barack Obama’s pick to be commerce secretary, persuaded Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2006 to visit Seattle, where he was feted at the mansion of Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates.

Both sides benefited from the trip, arranged by Locke as an attorney specializing in China trade. Before Hu arrived, China agreed to require computer makers to load legal software on new machines, a key to unlocking the $3 billion market to the maker of Windows software. Days later, Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft announced plans to invest $3.7 billion in China.

Earlier, when he was governor of Washington state, Locke, now 59, helped lumber-company Weyerhaeuser Co. and aircraft maker Boeing Co. win business with China. As he seeks the new post, and as secretary should he be confirmed, Locke may find his deals seen in a different light by lawmakers, unions and U.S. factory owners who say trading with China poses more peril than promise.

[JDPriestly]

8. Thanks for the information. I do not like Locke.

[ColbertWatcher]

11. Everyone is fodder for GOP Theater!

I just want to see who they'll drag out to counter him.

[rollingrock]

5. More like a lobbyist for US business

According to this article, Locke is supposedly a big promoter of US exports to China and other countries and has 'the backing of US labor groups,' though it doesn't mention the groups by name.

(Reuters)

Wed Feb 25, 2009

..."Our nation's economic success is tied directly to America continuing to lead in technology and innovation and in exporting those products, services and ideas to markets around the globe," Locke said.

Washington, a state that depends heavily on exports, is home to software giant Microsoft and aircraft manufacturer Boeing's main production facilities, as well as international coffee purveyor Starbucks.

The state's wheat and apple farmers also look to overseas markets for a big part of their income.

Locke is credited with persuading Boeing to build its newest jetliner, the 787, in Washington state.

That puts him in the middle of a World Trade Organization dispute between the United States and the European Union over government support for civilian aircraft manufacturers. A pair of tit-for-tat cases began in 2004, when the United States challenged European aid for Boeing's rival Airbus.

Business groups hope Locke will be a strong advocate for completing the long-running Doha round of world trade talks and moving forward on free trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea that the Bush administration negotiated.

U.S. labor groups have backed Locke for the commerce job and say they hope he will work within the Obama administration to put pressure on China to improve worker rights.

www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE51O5D620090225?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

[JDPriestly]

9. You are reporting the "clean" version of the story, I suspect.

This guy is a Trojan horse. I do not think he is a good choice.

This is the bad side of the Clinton influence. What do you want to bet Clinton wants a trade agreement with China that will give China more influence in the U.S.? I oppose this. I absolutely oppose this, and I oppose the appointment of Locke. He sure sounds like a lobbyist for China to me.

[RandomThoughts]

6. How about this

China allows union negotiations, increases wages, and puts money in the hands of there own consumers increasing demand world wide, and also not forcing the 'race to the bottom' competition of a state controlled labor market. A competitive environment that has sent many US jobs overseas.

Just an idea.

[exboyfil]

7. A lawyer as Commerce Secretary?

Don't we already have enough lawyers in Washington. How about someone who actually founded a business and grew it (not a hired gun CEO)? I am talking about someone with manufacturing experience because growing that sector is the only thing that is going to get us out of this hole.

[JDPriestly]

10. I'm with you. But, unfortunately, Obama is catering to conservatives

in his picks for economic aides. Locke sounds like a loser. He is a friend of China. We do not need more trade with China -- not in any shape or form.

Obama has promised to end the tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. It's really too late for that since all the good jobs have already been outsourced.

The only hope for Americans is in small businesses. We need to relieve small businesses of the job of providing costly healthcare for employees, merge Worker's Comp. medical benefits into regular insurance and promote the growth of new small businesses in the U.S. by rational tax policy that taxes the capital gains of those earning $3,000,000 including capital gainst and more a year at a 70% rate for the uppermost part of their earnings and reduce the taxes on small business owners -- up to those earning up to $3,000,000 per year.

The reason for doing this is to promote entrepreneurship and creativity in the U.S.

By the way, I am not running a small business that has employees, and I don't earn anywhere near $100,000, so I don't propose this out of self-interest. I think it would be good for America.