|
|
|
|
|
GOLDSEA |
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?
This interactive article is closed to new input.
Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
CONTACT US
|
ADVERTISING INFO
© 1996-2013 Asian Media Group Inc
No part of the contents of this site may be reproduced without prior written permission.
|
|
|
|
WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:59:25 PM)
The logic assumes that the Democratic party is somehow a proponent for Asians in office. A false assumption indeed, judging by the appointment records of that supposed great savior for Asians, Bill Clinton. At least my boy Dubya got two Asians in the Cabinet. Okay, one and a half on account of Chao.
Annapolis-Harvard Law Grad
Tuesday, June 04, 2002 at 03:34:48 (PDT)
Gary Locke should be considered as a vice Presidential running mate by who ever is the Democratic nominee in 2004. If Bush is re-elected in 2004- Gary Locke will be a serious candidate for President in 2008 or 2012 if a Democrat wins in 2004
puting an Asian american on the ticket kind of helps the Democrat- Asains are considered swing voters. while they are considered 5% of the population in the United States. 50% voted Democratic, 50% voted Republican. Hispanics are Democratic Leaning constituents- 70% are Democratic, 30% are Republican. Blacks are strongly Democrats, White voters tend to vote Republican
Democrat- 2.5 + 7+ 13.5 + 21= 44%
Democrats increase their Base by winning 60% of the Asain votes, 75% of the Latino votes 90% of the Black votes and 45% of the white votes
31.5 whites
13.5 blackes
45.00
7.5 Hispanics
52.5
3 Asians
55.5 Democratics
Democrats need at least 55% of the Asains
70% of the Hispanic votes
85% of the Black votes
2.75 Asains
7.00 Hispanics
12.75 Blacks
22.50
28.00 Whites
50.50 Whites
Democrats need to win at least 40% of the White votes
55% of the Asian votes
70% of the Hispanic votes
85% of the Black votes
Neal Pate;
Monday, June 03, 2002 at 10:20:33 (PDT)
This might be a stupid question but why is his last name Locke? Locke definitely does not sound like an Asian last name. Did he changed the spelling of his last name to make it sound more "American"?
AF
Friday, May 10, 2002 at 18:55:39 (PDT)
I think Hank Lewis and Kevin Yang should run for president and vice president. Just have them flip a coin to decide who gets what.
GoldSea Boards Fan
Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 08:42:18 (PDT)
Go for it Gary Locke because if you don't, who will?
hh
Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 19:21:31 (PDT)
I believe he has a chance to win the presidency even though he is Asian American. He serves as a great role model for not only Asian Americans, but for all Americans.
Aznawkdd
Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 17:16:00 (PDT)
Asian Researcher:
Yeh Ling-Ling is a real sell out indeed, as you say. This is what she wrote in the Atlanta Journal Constitution on March 28, 2002:
"If the United States continues to grow as it did in the 1990s, people of Mexican origin will be the majority within the lifetimes of today's children. In 1997, then-Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo affirmed in Chicago that "the Mexican nation extends beyond its territory enclosed by its borders and that Mexican migrants are an important, very important part of it." Do Mexican and other Americans wish the United States to become another Mexico or part of the Mexican nation."
This statement might as well have come from nationalist.org, national alliance, the Nazis or the Ku Klux Klan. Yeh Ling-Ling is the biggest white washed trash of an AF you would ever find any place. The biggest sell-out.
Asian American Male
Monday, April 01, 2002 at 13:59:38 (PST)
NEWEST COMMENTS |
EARLIER COMMENTS
|