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ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
WILL GARY LOCKE BE THE FIRST AA PRESIDENT?
ary Locke can tick off almost every qualification for a successful presidential bid: third-generation Washingtonian whose father fought in Patton's tank corps; Eagle Scout; Yale grad; former prosecutor with a tough crimefighting record; popular two-term governor in a state with arguably the nation's most successful educational system and fiscal policies; a highly telegenic wife with impeccable credentials of her own.
Significantly, Gary Locke's 26-year political career unequivocally establishes him to be a republican in democrat's clothing. Political balancing acts of that order have become de rigueur for White House aspirants from both parties, as shown by recent elections. And he's only 51.
But one misstep may haunt Locke in any quest for higher office -- he was born to Asian parents.
Locke's ties to Washington state go back to a paternal grandfather who had immigrated to Olympia at the turn of the century and worked as a houseboy before returning to China to start a family. His father James returned to Washington and fought under General Patton. Gary was born January 21, 1950 in a Seattle veterans public housing project called Yesler Terrace.
Gary worked at his father's grocery store but earned the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated with honors from Franklin High in 1968. He worked his way through Yale, earning a poli sci degree in 1972. Three years later he got a J.D. from Boston University Law School and became a deputy prosecutor in King County.
His crimefighting record got him elected to the state house in 1982 where his star rose rapidly through hard work on the Judiciary and Appropriations committees. He chaired the latter from 1988 until 1993 when he was elected chief executive of King County. That office gave Gary Locke the opportunity to prove his knack for improving social services while enforcing fiscal discipline.
Locke's popularity is undoubtedly boosted by his pretty wife, the former Mona Lee. Before their marriage in October of 1994 she was a news reporter at Seattle's KING-TV. She gave birth to a daughter in 1997, then a son in 1999. As first lady Mona has won raves by championing the causes of early learning and quality childcare.
Gary Locke has never publicly shown interest in running for national office.
Supporters see no other progression for the lifetime civil servant. They dismiss racial concerns by citing the fact that only about 6% of Washington voters are Asian, not very different from the 4% figure nationally. Some even feel that Locke's prospects for winning the presidency are better than that of any other minority politician. They cite his cleancut image combined with a sterling track record at the helm -- not to mention the likely support of the world's biggest software company.
Others believe that on the national political stage an Asian politician would have so much of an uphill battle simply trying to establish that he is an American to have a shot at getting his message across.
Could Gary Locke win a presidential election or would he be foolish even to consider a run?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:59:30 PM)
Naki and Asian American Male:
I would vote for Gary Locke in a heart-beat. Saw him give a State of the State address on C-SPAN last week. They guy has style and tremendous intellect. Yes, he is a viable national Democratic politician. He can capture Asian votes, white votes, black votes. He's a star.
Unfortunately, I'm not a Washingtonian. I live in California. Our Democratic governor (Gray Davis) sucks. I'm going to hold my nose and vote for former LA mayor Richard Riordan in November. It's OK because he's not a real republican. I'm a registered Democrat, however, I CANNOT stomach a vote for Gray Davis.
Contrary to what some Asians believe, in my opinion, there will be an Asian-American president before there is an African-American president. Why? Whites would feel more comfortable voting for an American of Asian decent than a black man. All the Asian candidate has to do is tell white people enough to make them feel easy and preach a message of America first.
Pearl Harbor was attacked over sixty years ago and people will eventually forget it. The legacy of slavery and racism will forever remain in the hearts and minds of blacks and whites and their children's children.
If a Democrat is elected in 2004, look for Gary Locke to get a major cabinet level appointment or some major role in the Democratic Party.
With the American electorate demographics changing considerably, no politician can completely disregard the Asian vote. It's no surprise why George W. Bush has two Asians in his cabinet (one Democrat and one conservative Republican) It's not rocket science; just pure politics: Asians routinely split (roughly 55% Democratic and 45% Republican - depending on the specific ethnic Asian enclave).
Neither Republican nor Democratic politicians can entirely look over Asian-Americans anymore. It's not smart politics. It's too risky. You'll need the Asian vote in a really tight race.
Geoff DB
geoffdb02@aol.com
Monday, February 25, 2002 at 22:16:14 (PST)
AC dropout,
"Blacks - their culture in the USA is made up. Their original african culture in the USA is gone."
"Jews - Maybe in cities with large population of Jews. But those in the mid west are as white washed as asian growing up in the mid west."
I agree. But look at how prominent both cultures are in the mainstream American culture. Look at their influence. I m not asking every single AA to know thoroughly about Asian values. However, having plenty of opportunties of being exposed to Asian cultures in the US would shape their thinking about themselves.
FOP
Monday, February 25, 2002 at 12:48:38 (PST)
"Is there anything that could tell us any clearer that the Republican party sucks? In this case, the stereotypes are true; they are simply racist, bottom-line. And those ignorant, simple-minded, evil tactics wouldn't work unless their constituents were the same."
I have always supported the GOP in principle..at least what they preach. Not what they practice. I like Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins in the US Senate and Connie Morella in the House. But, these are people without any power. The question we all have to ask is "what is the consequence of electing Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe?" The answer is simple: we get an anti-minority white southern males, Trent Lott and Don Nickles in postions of power...Collins and Snowe themselves are powerless. Now, what happens if we re-elect Connie Morella, we get another group of southern white males, Rep. Tom Delay, Rep. Bob Barr, Rep. Nathan Deal (50% of whites in his Georgia District are in white supremacist groups) and that xenophobe, anti-Asian and anti-immigrant Tom Tancredo from Colorado in power. I have decided to vote Democratic until the white southern GOP power structure changes. I live in Virginia..I voted for John Warner last time...he will win again this year...but I will never again vote for anyone from the Virginia GOP. If Asians love their lives and love their freedoms this country gives us and want to be respected, we are better off voting Democrat than GOP. Otherwise we will get the white southerners overrunning this country, and they would want to impose their values of yesteryears (Bob Jones University, lynching, etc.) on us.
Asian American Male
Monday, February 25, 2002 at 11:53:47 (PST)
Naki:
You're not being fair. Pat Buchannan is no more a representative for all Republicans than Jesse Jackson is a representative for all Democrats. Buchannan was basically told to Piss Off by the Repbulican hierarchy due to crap like you're describing, which is why he ended up on the so-called Reform Party ticket.
So please, think carefully before posting like that. You're better than that.
Tae-Yun Park
Monday, February 25, 2002 at 10:29:42 (PST)
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