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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, 05:59:29 PM)
Asian American Male:
If Gary Locke ever announced his candidacy for US president, the first question out of a white reporter's mouth would be: "Why should an African American or Latino vote for you?" The microphone would then be held directly in his face. Keep in mind, I doubt if he would ever be asked why a white person should vote for him. Reason? It would give the impression that whites would be afraid of him. That would be a politically incorrect thought to articulate.
Gary Locke would then be forced to downplay his associations with other Asian Americans or God forbid any recent trip he may have made to an Asian country. It's sad but true.
Yes, the white media knows how to stir up anger and resentment in the African American community. African Americans are the largest minority group so our vote will give a marginal candidate reason to race bait. Divide and conquer is the best way to keep whites in power.
You see, when people get scared, they tend to vote for the lesser of two evils. Why else do you think James Hahn won the LA mayoral contest in 2001. He had African-Americans believe that he was a holy man who would save them from the surge of Latinos in California. They bought is act and now they're stuck with a knock off son of a bitch who is nothing like his late father.
There was an article recently published in the LA Times that talks about how black businesses have flourished in white suburbs. It was interesting to read.
African Americans are doing better in the US, but the media wants to make it appear that Asians own everything, earn all the college degrees, own all the property and is a threat to American way of life. Once this feeling penetrates when an Asian runs for office it will result in anti-Asian bias and political backlash against Asian Americans. It won't be pretty because whites will have free reign to pick on Asians. Think about it - what minority politicians would come to Asian Americans' defense.
Geoff DB
geoffdb02@aol.com
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 21:31:08 (PST)
To Tae-Yun Park: I agree that Pat Buchanan is not representative of all republicans, however, many of the republicans in power,(especially southern repubs) agree with Buchanan, but know that they can not be openly vocal like him or they will lose support. This has been described by several posters here. I do agree with some of the tenets of the republican party, however, I can not look past the facts of their use of the race card when they really need the votes and how it works for them with so many (not all) of their constituents. Even a moderate republican like McCain can use the term "gooks" and republicans defend him. As much as I don't care for Jesse Jackson's politics, I can remember several instances where he spoke out against discrimination and prejudice against Asian Americans. I can't remember any Republican ever doing that. I also can not overlook the fact that usually whenever a minority person is nominated for a position, the GOP finds some excuse as to why they are unfit, unless they happen to be anti-minority themselves. The Democratic party is no bed of roses either, as they often seem to trample on Asian Americans in order to placate some of their more powerful special interests. They are the lesser of two evils IMO.
Naki
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 20:33:33 (PST)
Whites are very good at divide and rule tactics, especially dividing the minorities. This is another reason why Gary Locke would find it difficult to get nominated and win the elections. Locke would need all the minorities he can get. An article under the title "Hiring of Foreign Workers Frustrates Native Job-Seekers" by Carrie Johnson in today's Washington Post (Feb 27, 2002), pits blacks and immigrants (ie., Asians). I am quoting a few paragraphs and commenting on them.
"But many out-of-work American engineers and their advocates see it as a giveaway of jobs to less-expensive foreign labor."
True. Actually jobs are being moved abroad to Bangalore, India and other Asian cities, when they cannot bring foreign labor into the country. The Germans did not allow SAP to hire Indian programmers. So, SAP laid off its German workers and moved to Miami.
"Immigration analysts suggest that tens of thousands more workers entered the country in the past fiscal year to work for research institutions, colleges and other employers that are not included in INS statistics."
When it is not possible to bring in foreign college professors, these colleges open campuses abroad. INSEAD, France, has moved part of its faculty to Singapore.
"Employers are supposed to certify that they cannot find qualified Americans to fill the jobs, but critics of the so-called high-tech visa program say such rules are routinely flouted."
Flouted through moving operations abroad which is perfectly legal or contracting out employment through internet which is also perfectly legal. This is very difficult for Americans and others to comprehend.
"Last month, the Coalition for Fair Employment in Silicon Valley began a campaign to increase the number of African Americans in technology jobs, pointing to businesses' dependence on foreign labor as one reason blacks have failed to advance in the field."
The whites have ucceeded in pitting one minority group against the other. Actually it is the whites who are adversely affected as a result of H1-B1 Visa and jobs moving abroad.
"Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a group that lobbies for reduced immigration, said of companies' H-1B use: "It's already too much.""
Again blind leading the blind. If you do not give them the Visas, they move operations abroad and countries such as Singapore would give them what they want. Krikorian should protest against globalization instead of railing against immigrants. But, he is too dumb!
"The program's critics, including Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), who has introduced legislation to reduce the number of H-1B visas, remain unconvinced.
"We're certainly in a position to rethink the idea and have them prove for us the need was still there in light of the hundreds of thousands of people who are unemployed or underemployed," Tancredo said."
He should talk. He is the biggest racist and xenophobe in the Congress. Before redistricting, his Colorado sixth district had ten black families. Now he has five. I bet be has never spoken to a black person. All I know is that he does not believe that Asians belong in America.
"One such person might be Chris Williams (a balck man).He has a master's degree, a family of six and a dozen years of experience at firms such as IBM and Perot Systems.
What he doesn't have is a job....
....Williams said he's being recruited from such countries as Switzerland, Germany and India. "Yet it's hard to get the time of day in Denver," he said."
You know what...my situation is similar. I am self-employed and have tried for jobs in the Federal Government and international organizations and international consulting companies in my area here in the East Coast. But, I have gotten interviews only from East Asia. No one here would give me the time of day. It has more to do with white racism in the federal government, international consulting companies and may be even international organizations, and has little to do with an African immigrant being hired by anyone. If someone offers me a job in East Asia I will move. Mr. Williams should do the same.
Asian American Male
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 15:35:29 (PST)
AAA:
in the spirit of full disclosure, I will admit I am a registered Republican (have been since I became eligible to vote in this country) and usually vote GOP.
no one ever said that there are not racist elements within the Republican party. There are embarassing members, such as Buchanan and others. I have not read the Texas GOP platform; I will take on faith that you say correct. Care to give an example?
But, I re-iterate my original point from a few weeks ago. I vote the party of my interests, and that just is not the Democrats. They have for years defended affirmative action programmes that came, largely, at the expense of Asians here in California. They have advocated tax policies that punish success in small business development. They have provided policies to encourage illegitimacy and undermine strong family structure.
And, we are suppose to like them because they don't have guys like Bob Barr? What about Sen Hollins (D-SC) who said that foreign dignitaries come to the U N in New York so "they can have a good square meal instead of eating each other?" How about the respected Sen Byrd (D-WVa) who was a grand poobah or whatever it is in the Ku Klux Klan? Or, the rep John Durkin (thankfully, voted OUT in NH several years ago), who referred in his campaign speeches to Asians as "damn Japs?" When given the opportunity to "clarify" what he meant, said "that's what they are."
Will the GOP nominate someone like Riordan? I live in California, and right now, he is ahead in the polls, and likely WILL get the nomination.
Finally, the paranoia about anti-immigrant GOP policy needs to be separated: anti-immigrant versus anti ILLEGAL immigrant. As a legal, naturalised American, I resent the way the Democrats fawn over people who flout the laws and come here, while those of us STUPID enough to follow the rules wait in line and pick up the tab.
Ai Ya
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 13:16:25 (PST)
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